I had a great trip to Florence last week to spend time with family for Thanksgiving and got the bonus of getting to attend my first UNA game this season. It was a treat to watch the Lions get the victory over UNC-P and catch up with some friends at Braly Stadium.



GSC HARLON HILL FINALIST

Finalists for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy have been announced and North Alabama senior quarterback Jacob Tucker of Linden, Tennessee, is one of nine national finalists in the running to be named the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year.

The finalists were selected from an initial field of 43 nominees by the NCAA Division II sports information directors in regional voting. They will be placed on the national ballot where all 171 of the division's SIDs will select the award's 31st winner.

The top two players from three super regions advanced to the national ballot, and three advanced from Super Region 4 due to a tie in the voting. The list of 2016 finalists is comprised of six quarterbacks, two running backs and one receiver. Seven of the finalists helped lead their teams into the 2016 NCAA Division II playoffs and five are on team's competing in this weekend's quarterfinal matchups.

Tucker was named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year in his first season as a starter, while leading the Lions to a 9-1 record, a GSC Championship and the top seed in Super Region 2. He ranks among the GSC leaders in rushing, passing, total offense and scoring. He has thrown for 2,257 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 719 yards and 14 TDs. Those numbers are even more impressive considering that he did not play in the fourth quarter of six games due to large UNA leads.


SR2 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:

North Greenville (9-4) at North Alabama (9-1) @ 12 PM CST





Both schools have won every contest since that game and are hoping to extend their season into the semi-finals as SR2 Champion.

UNA Key Stats:

Avg. Points Scored: 40.5
Avg. Points Allowed: 14.7
Offensive Yards: 446.5
Yards Allowed: 329.3
Turnover Margin: +3
Avg. Penalties: 70.7 yards
Third Down Conversions: 42.15%
Red Zone Scores: 81.6%
Field Goals: 10-12 (83.3%)

NGU Key Stats:

Avg. Points Scored: 33.2
Avg. Points Allowed: 24.0
Offensive Yards: 423.2
Yards Allowed: 386.3
Turnover Margin: +14
Avg. Penalties: 77.5 yards
Third Down Conversions: 45.0%
Red Zone Scores: 97.6%
Field Goals: 15-20 (75%)



Honestly, I can see this game going much the way the first one did with a back-and-forth contest for the first half and then UNA pulling away after halftime. Coach Wallace knows that it is difficult to beat the same team twice in one year and will need to have the Lions focused on playing some of their best football if they are to advance.

My pick: Lions by 14


(Harlon Hill Trophy information courtesy of UNA Athletics and the HH Trophy Committee.)