If you’ve been keeping an eye on the scoreboard at Braly Stadium lately, you know the vibe in Florence has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Being a fan of the North Alabama Lions isn't exactly for the faint of heart right now. We’re in that weird, sometimes painful "transition" phase that every program goes through when they're trying to prove they belong with the big kids in Division I.
Honestly, looking at the north alabama football scores from the 2024 and 2025 seasons tells a story that the win-loss column doesn't quite capture. You see a 3-9 record in 2024 and a 2-10 finish in 2025. On paper? It looks rough. But if you actually watched the games—especially that heartbreaking finale against Southern Utah—you know this team is a few bounces away from a completely different conversation.
The 2025 Season: Close Calls and Braly’s Last Stand
The 2025 season was supposed to be a sentimental journey. It was the final year at historic Braly Municipal Stadium before the move to the new Bank Independent Stadium in 2026.
The scores, however, didn't always play along with the nostalgia.
A Heartbreaker to End an Era
The final game at Braly on November 22, 2025, was essentially a microcosm of the Brent Dearmon era so far: high octane, high drama, and a finish that leaves you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. UNA went into double overtime against Southern Utah.
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The Final: Southern Utah 36, North Alabama 34.
It was brutal. Tanaka Scott caught a 61-yard touchdown from John Austin Wood to put the Lions up early. They led 28-14 in the fourth quarter. Then, the wheels sort of wobbled. A missed field goal, a late T-Bird touchdown, and suddenly we're in OT. In the second overtime, UNA scored but failed the two-point conversion. Southern Utah didn't.
Why the 2025 Scores Feel Deceptive
Check out these results from the 2025 slate:
- Week 4: A 36-38 double-overtime loss to #6 Illinois State.
- Week 10: A 33-34 overtime loss to Utah Tech.
- Season Finale: The 34-36 2OT loss mentioned above.
Basically, the Lions were about three plays away from being a .500 team and potentially making a splash in the United Athletic Conference (UAC). Instead, they finished 2-10. Football is a cruel game of inches, and in 2025, those inches rarely went Florence's way.
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Remembering the Highs of 2024
To understand where the program is going, you have to look back at October 12, 2024. That was the day the north alabama football scores actually made national waves.
UNA hosted #10 Abilene Christian. Nobody expected much. But the Lions pulled off a 47-34 stunner. Quarterback TJ Smith was a man possessed, accounting for 314 yards and six total touchdowns. That win earned them the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week honors. It was the first time since 2018 that the Lions had knocked off a ranked FCS opponent while being ranked themselves (well, in the D1 era).
That three-game win streak in mid-2024—beating West Georgia, Utah Tech, and Abilene Christian—showed the blueprint. When Dearmon’s "Grinnovation" offense clicks, it’s genuinely hard to stop. They averaged nearly 400 yards of offense per game in 2024, which is top-tier production. The problem, as the scores show, was keeping the other guys out of the end zone. They gave up 29 points per game in '24 and even more in '25.
The Move to Bank Independent Stadium
The most important thing for fans to realize is that the 2026 season is a total reset. Moving to Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium isn't just about new turf and better concessions. It’s about the revenue and recruiting power that comes with an on-campus facility.
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Coach Brent Dearmon is staying the course, but the pressure is definitely mounting. You can't live in "almost won" territory forever in the UAC. The conference is getting tougher. Tarleton State and Abilene Christian are becoming regional powerhouses.
Key Stats to Watch for 2026
- Red Zone Efficiency: In 2024, UNA scored on about 76% of red zone trips. To turn those close losses into wins, that needs to be in the 85-90% range.
- Third Down Defense: Opponents converted over 40% of third downs against the Lions in the last two seasons. That’s too much time for the defense to be on the field.
- Quarterback Stability: With TJ Smith moving on and John Austin Wood getting experience, the 2026 starter needs to limit the interceptions (the team had 17 in 2024).
What’s Next for the Lions?
If you're looking for actionable ways to stay on top of the program as they move into the new stadium, here’s what you should do:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Dearmon has been aggressive here. Watch for defensive line help specifically; the Lions need more pressure up front to help a young secondary.
- Check the Spring Game Stats: Usually held in March at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex, this is the first real look at the new roster.
- Follow UAC Standings Early: The 2026 schedule will be out soon. Look at the early out-of-conference games. If UNA can steal an early road win against a mid-tier FCS opponent, it changes the momentum of the entire year.
The era of playing at Braly is over. It’s a bit sad, sure. But those 2025 scores—as frustrating as they were—show a team that is right on the edge of being a contender. They just need to figure out how to finish.