The 1974 North Alabama Lions football team represented the University of North Alabama as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 1974 NAIA Division I football season. Led by second-year head coach Mickey Andrews, the Lions compiled an overall record of 4–6 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the GSC. North Alabama played home game at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.
Schedule
Offseason Name change Despite little change on the football end of things, Florence State University would undergo a big change. On December 27, 1973, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name to University of North Alabama. This change would come into effect on August 15, just one month before the beginning of the football season.
The reasons stated for the change include broader support and greater visibility for the university. Also included was the potential confusion between Florence State University and Florida State University as they both shared the abbrivation of "FSU."
Preseason conference poll The Gulf South Conference released their preseason coaches' poll on August 3. North Alabama were picked to finish seventh.
Transfers Transfers In
Name Pos. Hometown Transfer from Creig Bell TE Addison, AL Southern Mississippi Robert Harris DE Springville, AL Samford Randy Lee QB Addison, AL Samford Kelly Pool LBLanette, AL Samford Burnis RoseRB Leeds, AL Samford Source:
Recruiting Signees Name Pos. Hometown High School Mike Allison FB Birmingham, AL Woodlawn High School David Atkins K Guin, AL Marion County High School Ricky Baker OT Thomaston, GA Thomaston High School Rodney Bivens CB Birmingham, AL Minor High School Steve Clark QB Birmingham, AL Shades Valley High School Jerry Davis C Athens, AL Athens High School Louie Davis OG Huntsville, AL Butler High School Stan Debord DT Lafayette, GA Lafayette High School Butch Garrison DE Birmingham, AL Jones Valley High School Tony Hendon DB Birmingham, AL West End High School Frank Higginbotham DB Trussville, AL Hewitt High School Rocky Jacobs LB Northport, AL Tuscaloosa County High School Billy King LB Hueytown, AL Hueytown High School Ricky Kirkpatrick OT Russellville, AL Russellville High School Fred Mahler DE Nashville, TN Father Ryan High School Bob Martin TE Birmingham, AL Banks High School Mark Neuhauser LB Demopolis, AL Demopolis High School Donald Pearson TE Birmingham, AL West End High School Billy Reynolds FB Huntsville, AL Butler High School Fred Rosenblum DB Huntsville, AL Huntsville High School David Seymour WR Decatur, AL Decatur High School Myles Smith TE Birmingham, AL West End High School Robert Steele TE Columbus, GA Hardaway High School James Tanniehill RB Silura, AL Thompson High School Willie Taylor DT Birmingham, AL Ensley High School Lawrence Versa RB Athens, TN Athens High School John Wall DT Milledgeville, GA Milledge Academy Terence Witherspoon DT Fairfield, AL Fairfield High School Source:
Game summaries vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Statistics UNASLU First downs 12 19Total yards 227 342 Rushing yards 132 280 Passing yards 95 62 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 7-20-1 5-12-0 Punts 6-35.6 4-39.2 Fumbles/Lost 2-0 3-2 Penalties 4-46 5-27
Roster
References