FLORENCE, ALA. – Joe Gurley's field goal as time expired lifted North Alabama over Campbell 25-24 Saturday at Braly Stadium.
The Lions, who join the Big South as a football member in 2020, improved to 3-6 on the season, while Campbell (6-2) saw its school record six game winning streak come to an end. The loss marked Campbell's first against a FCS opponent this season.
With Campbell on top 24-22, UNA took possession back at its 18 yard line after a CU punt, moving the ball 80 yards, including a 39 yard pass from Christian Lopez to Andre Little. Jaxton Carson moved the Lions inside the five, and three plays later, Gurley's 20-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired.
Campbell rushed for a season-high 269 yards on 56 carries on the day, using a balanced attacked of
Johnathan Hawkins (67),
Bryant Barr (60),
C.J. Freeman (53),
Cameron Davis (46) and
Hajj-Malik Williams (43). Davis and Williams both found the end zone on the ground, while Hawkins hauled in a 10-yard TD pass from Williams with 45 seconds to go in the third, bringing the Camels within a point at 22-21.
Colin Gary gave Campbell its first lead since early in the second quarter with his 39 yard field goal, the redshirt senior's eight consecutive make, going up 24-22 with 10:46 to play. Both teams traded punts on two straight possessions before Gurley's game-winning kick.
Campbell owned the edge in total offense 357 to 272, outgaining the Lions on the ground 269-79. The Camels also converted 3-of-4 fourth down tries.
Williams also completed 7-of-16 pass attempts for 88 yards and a touchdown, completing throws to six receivers.
Little led UNA with 118 receiving yards on six catches, including his 39-yarder late in the fourth quarter, while Blake Dever completed 11-of-19 passes for 143 yards.
Ray Miller notched 10 tackles for the Camels, while
Justice Galloway-Velazquez made seven stops, including 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, combining for two of Campbell's four sacks on the day.
Wallace Cowins and Jalen Dread paced UNA with nine tackles each.
The Camels return to Barker-Lane Stadium next week, hosting No. 4 Kennesaw State on November 9. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
