FLORENCE – The North Alabama Lions and Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will meet in the 10th annual FCS Kickoff at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery on Saturday to start the 2024 college football season.
“The FCS Kickoff has become an opening weekend tradition in the City of Montgomery,” said Johnny Williams, Executive Director of the FCS Kickoff and Camellia Bowl. “This is the 10th year of the FCS Kickoff and the seventh time we have hosted at the Cramton Bowl. We are excited about this year’s matchup between UNA and Southeast Missouri.”
UNA’s 76th season of football kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday and will air on ESPN. UNA returns to the Week 0 FCS Kickoff game for the second straight year after pushing 2023 FCS playoff participant Mercer to the wire in a 17-7 loss last season.
“We are excited to once again play in such a great event,” said UNA head coach Brent Dearmon, entering his second season leading the Lions. “The FCS Kickoff game is not only a great matchup but also provides a national spotlight for our program and university.”
Last year’s FCS Kickoff game vs. Mercer aired on both ESPN and ESPNU. UNA also played on The CW to close the season against Florida State, drawing 1.3 million viewers for the network’s largest primetime audience in over six years.
“The Lions are thrilled to return to ESPN’s Week 0 programming and open the 2024 college football season in the FCS Kickoff Game,” said UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. “This is a showcase opportunity for the University of North Alabama in our home state and throughout the country. The City of Montgomery produces a first-class event and I know that our fans, student-athletes, and alumni will enjoy the premier hospitality that surrounds this game. Opening on ESPN for a second consecutive season and playing our third nationally-televised game within a calendar year is a snapshot of the incredible momentum occurring at UNA.”
Southeast Missouri State will be making its first appearance in the FCS Kickoff.
“We are thrilled to help kick off FCS Football as we showcase Southeast Missouri Football and our institution to a national television audience,” said SEMO Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Brady Barke. “This game has historically featured tradition-rich programs and we’re excited for our program to be a part of it this year.”
Following the FCS Kickoff, UNA will travel to FBS opponent Memphis on Aug. 31, while SEMO will travel to New Mexico State.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
