UNA releases 2024 football schedule

FLORENCE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama announced its 2024 football schedule Thursday. For the second consecutive year, the Lions will play the first FCS football game of the season at the FCS Kickoff at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
 
The 76th season of UNA Football begins Saturday, Aug. 24 against Southeast Missouri and will air nationally on the ESPN family of networks. UNA returns to the Week 0 FCS Kickoff game after taking 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, who enters 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."
 
The FCS Kickoff will mark the third time in the last two seasons UNA has played a nationally-televised game. Last year's FCS Kickoff game vs. Mercer aired on both ESPN and ESPNU, becoming the first game in program history to stream on two different networks within the ESPN brand. 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 game time, ESPN platform designation and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
 
"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."
 
The rest of the slate features six road games and five home games that will take place at Braly Stadium. Game times will be announced at a later date.
 
Following the FCS Kickoff, the Lions will travel to FBS opponent Memphis on Aug. 31 to play at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — home of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
 
The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 against Illinois State. The following week, UNA will travel to UT Martin for a nearby regional matchup to conclude non-conference play. The Lions will enjoy a bye week on Sept. 21 before starting United Athletic Conference play.
 
North Alabama's conference home opener renews a classic rivalry from the Division II era, as the Lions will host West Georgia on Sept. 28. West Georgia will begin its first Division I season in 2024, as the Wolves begin a transition from the Gulf South Conference to the ASUN and UAC.
 
The Lions will also host Abilene Christian on Oct. 12, Austin Peay on Nov. 2 and will close the home portion of the schedule Nov. 16 against Southern Utah. The ACU game on Oct. 12 will serve as UNA's Homecoming.
 
UNA's four road games during conference play will take place in four different states. The UAC travel slate begins Oct. 5 at Utah Tech and followed by trips to Central Arkansas on Oct. 26 and Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 9. The regular season ends on Nov. 23 with a trip to Texas to play first-time opponent Stephen F. Austin.
 
Last season, the Lions had one of the toughest schedules in all of FCS football based on both opponent win percentage and Massey rankings. According to Dearmon, the challenges will continue to come for a UNA program on the rise.
 
"One year removed from the second-toughest schedule in football, we once again have one of the best schedules in all of FCS," said Dearmon. "This schedule will test our players and staff and prepare us to become the team we want to be."