Highlights
YOUTUBEWin probability
EVERY PLAY · ESPN MODELKICKOFF: WIU 95% · BIGGEST SINGLE-PLAY SWING: 25 PTS
Scoring plays
8 SCORES
Christian Lopez 2 Yd Run (Sam Contorno PAT failed)
0-6
Joe Gurley 48 Yd Field Goal
0-9
Deontez Thompson 9 Yd Run (Nathan Erickson Kick)
7-9
Cortez Hall 75 Yd pass from Christian Lopez (Joe Gurley Kick)
7-16
Herschel Blankenship 2 Yd Return of Blocked Punt (Nathan Erickson Kick)
14-16
Joe Gurley 42 Yd Field Goal
14-19
Nathan Erickson 41 Yd Field Goal
17-19
Terence Humphrey 62 Yd Run (Joe Gurley Kick)
17-26
What happened
ESPN RECAPNorth Alabama goes deep, defeats Western Illinois 26-17
FLORENCE, Ala. -- North Alabama scored key touchdowns on a long run and an even longer pass and the Lions defeated Western Illinois 26-17 in a season opener on Thursday night. Leading 9-7 late in the second quarter, Christian Lopez connected with Cortez Hall for a 75-yard scoring pass and a 16-7 lead. With the Lions protecting a 19-17 lead late in the third quarter, Terence Humphrey scored on a 62-yard run for a 26-17 lead. The Lions' defense held the Leathernecks out of the red zone the entire second half and allowed only Nathan Erickson 's 41-yard field goal in the third quarter. Lopez completed 17 of 32 passes for 290 yards and the one touchdown. Humphrey carried 12 times for 102 yards and his long touchdown. Connor Sampson completed 18 of 30 passes for 183 yards for Western Illinois. He was intercepted once.
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Team stats
WIU · UNABRALY STADIUM, FLORENCE · ATTENDANCE 10,567
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