North Alabama (10-0, 7-0 GSC) also clinched the out-right Gulf South Conference Championship with the win under the direction of first year head coach Terry Bowden.

The Lions scored a touchdown in each of the first and second quarters. With 6:55 left in the opening quarter, Tim hicks ran a stretch around the left corner for a six-yard touchdown scamper, his third of the season.

Late in the second quarter, UNA quarterback Harrison Beck found Antyon Gray for an 18-yard touchdown strike to put the Lions up 14-0 at halftime.

UNA scored first in the second half with another touchdown run by Tim Hicks, this time from seven-yards out on a run similar to his first score.

The Boll Weevils (4-6, 3-4 GSC) responded with 13 unanswered points, started with a 43-yard touchdown scamper by junior quarterback Scott Buisson with 9:47 left in the third to put the Weevils down 7-21.

Almost five minutes later, backup quarterback Casey Cathcart  recorded his third rushing touchdown of the season with a one-yard rush with 4:18 left in the third. Freshman Joe Lamoureux’s kick was blocked, but UNA’s lead was cut to 21-13.

UNA’s Marcus Sims capped the game’s scoring with a 37-yard touchdown run with 13:26 left in regulation. Kenny Spencer’s extra point attempt bounced off the left upright to finalize the scoring at 27-13.

Statistically, the two squads were even in most categories. UNA out-gained UAM in total offense (397-373) and passing offense (289-251), but the Boll Weevils won the rushing attack (122-108).

Individually, Buisson finished the game completing 17 of 39 passes for 219 yards and was sacked once, while his counterpart, Beck, was 22 of 36 with 289 yards with one touchdown, one interception and was sacked once.

Buisson also led the UAM running game with 14 carries for 47 yards with one touchdown, while Sims led the Lions with 10 carries for 77 yards and one score.

Junior Jywin Ceaser led the Weevils with eight receptions for 124 yards, his second consecutive 100-yard game and third overall this season, while UNA’s Charles McClain had 10 receptions for 120 yards.

Defensively, junior James Jackson recorded his second interception of the season, while senior teammate Quenton Arnett led the team with eight tackles, including half of a tackle for a loss. Sophomore Cantrelle Monk had a productive day on defense, recording six tackles, one sack, two tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry.

Before the game, UAM honored its 12 seniors prior to playing their last home game as a Boll Weevil. Those 12 seniors are Jeremy Brown, Spenser Garrison, Quenton Arnett, Lowen Baptiste, Casey Cathcart, Glendon Glaspie, Joe Welch, Justin Skender, Eugene Engram, Charles Spann, Jaleel Harris and Stephen Harris.

The Boll Weevils conclude the 2009 season with the first ever “Boomtown Classic” next Saturday, November 7 in El Dorado, Ark. against the Southern Arkansas Muleriders. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at El Dorado Memorial Stadium.