For North Alabama, it was great fun while it lasted Saturday. The offensive line was dominating the line of scrimmage, quarterback Tyler Peterson was chewing up yardage on the ground and Bisons turnovers were coming in bunches. The Lions were walking tall and the game plan was unfolding just as the Lions coaching staff envi- sioned it all week in practice. Then, Harding s defense began to sniff out the veer, backup quarterback Freddie Langston went off on offense and two Travis Johnston field goals somehow escaped the goal posts. In the end, it was the Bisons who were having all the fun.
Kids are kids.
We just self-destructed. We lost our intensity in the fourth quarter and let them break containment in the passing game. UNA earned 19 first downs, had 360 rushing yards, ran 23 more offensive plays, controlled the ball 17 more minutes than Harding, won the turnover battle and converted almost half of their third downs. It s just a huge disappointment not to win this one. Even after seeing their lead evaporate in the closing minutes, the Lions still had two chances to win.