UNA coach faces two familiar names

MONTGOMERY (AP)— North Alabama coach Mark Hudspeth will get to match wits — and teams — with a couple of familiar faces at Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday.

There's Will Hall, his former quarterback and Harlon Hill Trophy winner who is in his first year as Arkansas-Monticello's offensive coordinator. Then there's head coach Gwaine Matthews, Hudspeth's former Delta State teammate and UNA defensive coordinator.

Besides the friendly reunion, Hudspeth and the Lions (5-0, 4-0 Gulf South Conference), ranked No. 3 in Division II, will be trying to remain unbeaten.

UNA has won the last four meetings by a combined 189-48. But Arkansas-Monticello (2-4, 1-2) has already matched its win total of the past two seasons combined.

"They're just obviously getting better as a football team," Hudspeth said. "You can't overlook anyone in college football, especially not this year. They're a very capable football team."

He sees "a lot of similarities" between the two offenses with Hall running the show. UNA has forced a GSC-best 18 turnovers and returned three fumbles for touchdowns, including a 99-yarder and a 91-yarder. Hall's offense, meanwhile, has turned the ball over 18 times, also a league-high.

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