FLORENCE, Ala. -- The University of North Alabama rushed for 331 yards and gained 480 yards of total offense in a 42-7 blowout of Miles College in the 2013 season-opener at Braly Stadium. A crowd of 12,094 watched as UNA recorded its 11th straight season-opening win and snapped a four-game losing streak overall.
Sophomore running back Lamonte Thompson of Florence led the attack, rushing for 189 yards on 14 carries and scoring on runs of 38 and 69 yards. Sophomore quarterback Luke Wingo of Tuscaloosa also rushed for two touchdowns as UNA built a 28-7 halftime lead. The Lions then added two second half TDs, one on a stellar 50-yard punt return by freshman Philbert Martial of Mobile, Ala.
Miles jumped on top with a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage as David Thomas faked a handoff, then hit Lonnie Outlaw with a 75-yard touchdown pass. Jason Coste kicked the PAT and the Bears led 7-0 just 11 seconds into the game.
UNA answered with a touchdown drive on its first possession, marching 38 yards in 10 plays after Miles botched an on-side kick attempt. Wingo scored on a two-yard run and Michael Schuster kicked the extra-point to tie the game at the 8:58 mark of the first quarter. The drive marked the second straight year that UNA scored on its opening drive.
On the Lions’ next possession, UNA marched 72 yards in 10 plays with Wingo scoring on a nine-yard keeper. Schuster added the PAT to make it 14-7 at 1:47 of the first quarter.
UNA scored on its third straight possession when Thompson raced to the end zone from 38 yards out with 11 seconds left in the quarter. Schuster’s PAT made it 21-7.
The only score of the second quarter came when Thompson scored on a 69-yard run with 6:45 left in the half. Schuster’s kick made it 28-7 at intermission.
In the third quarter, Chris Coffey capped a nine-play, 58-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run. Schuster’s PAT made it 35-7 with 8:19 left in the frame.
The final score of the night came on Martial’s return with 1:57 left in the game to make the final count 42-7.
UNA also missed out on three other scoring opportunities as Schuster missed field goal attempts from 31, 30 and 44 yards.
Miles was held to 264 total yards and converted just three of 13 third down conversion attempts.
There were no turnovers in the game.
Wingo was 16-of-26 passing for 149 yards and added 52 yards on the ground.
Gabe Poe led UNA’s defensive effort with 10 tackles, including a sack.
North Alabama plays at FCS member Jacksonville State on Sept. 14, renewing a rivalry with the Gamecocks for the first time since 2003.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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