FLORENCE – A sudden defection by one league member forced the United Athletic Conference to adjust 2024 football schedules, creating a balanced eight-game slate where all nine teams play each other at least once and establishes a clear criterion for determining a champion.
Stephen F. Austin bolted for the Southland Conference from the UAC, which formed following a merger of the ASUN and WAC.
The change alters the schedule for the University of North Alabama, including adding UAC member Tarleton State for Family Weekend Sept. 21.
The Lions’ non-conference games are not affected, including the season-opening FCS Kickoff Game against Southeastern Missouri in Montgomery on ESPN Aug. 24.
“Many times, challenges lead to opportunities that ultimately better a situation, and I commend the UAC for achieving that with this revised schedule,” UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney said. “We are no longer playing an unbalanced conference schedule, and the UAC was able to protect key home dates across the conference – such as UNA’s previously announced Homecoming game on Oct. 12.
“This revised schedule delivers on our priorities following sudden change and formats nicely for our fans and campus community.”
UNA’s Family Weekend includes the Little Lions Youth Game and serves as the new conference opener Sept. 21. This game will be one of four home games during the conference portion of the schedule.
UNA’s other home opponents will be Utah Tech on Oct. 5 when the 1994 National Championship Team hosts its 30th Anniversary Reunion, Abilene Christian on Oct. 12 for Homecoming and Austin Peay on Nov. 2 for Senior Day. The Lions retain both original dates for ACU and Austin Peay, while flipping a road game at Utah Tech into a home game.
The first new road game for the Lions will be the newest UAC member, West Georgia, on Sept. 28 in Carrollton, Ga. While new to the UAC and Division I, West Georgia is a traditional rival for UNA dating back to 1983. UWG is leaving the Gulf South Conference for the ASUN and UAC this offseason.
Other road dates for UNA include Central Arkansas on Oct. 26, Southern Utah on Nov. 9 and the regular season finale at Eastern Kentucky University on Nov. 23. UNA’s two bye weeks are Oct. 19 and Nov. 16.
All home kickoff times have been announced, including 6 p.m. kickoffs on Sept. 7 for the home opener, Sept. 21 for Family Weekend and Oct. 12 for Homecoming. The Lions will kick off at 4 p.m. on Oct. 5 for the 1994 National Championship Reunion and 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 for Senior Day.
Revised 2024 UNA Football Schedule
* – United Athletic Conference game
- Aug. 24 vs. Southeast Missouri, 6 p.m.
Montgomery – ESPN FCS Kickoff Game - Aug. 31 at Memphis, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 7 vs. Illinois State, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 14 at UT Martin, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 21 vs. Tarleton State*, 6 p.m.
Family Weekend - Sept. 28 at West Georgia*, TBD
Carrollton, Ga. - Oct. 5 vs. Utah Tech*, 4 p.m.
1994 Championship Reunion - Oct. 12 vs. Abilene Christian*, 6 p.m.
Homecoming - Oct. 19 Bye
- Oct. 26 at Central Arkansas*, TBD
Conway, Ark. - Nov. 2 vs. Austin Peay*, 4 p.m.
Senior Day - Nov. 9 at Southern Utah*, TBD
Cedar City, Utah - Nov. 16 Bye
- Nov. 23 at Eastern Kentucky*, TBD
Richmond, Ky.
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