NORTHWEST ALABAMA REGIONAL AIRPORT – The University of North Alabama left for Shepherdstown, W.V. Thursday afternoon for Saturday’s game where they will meet Shepherd University in the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.
Kickoff time is set for 11:00 a.m. Central (noon Eastern) and the game will be aired on ESPN3.
UNA, the No. 1 seed in Super Region 2 and a 38-0 winner over North Greenville in the quarterfinals, is making its 10th all-time appearance in the NCAA semifinals. The Lions, 10-1 this season, have won four previous semifinal matchups and went on to claim Division II National Championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
Shepherd, the No. 3 seed in Super Region 1, has a perfect 13-0 record and posted a come-from-behind 41-30 win over California, Pa., in its quarterfinal match.
The game will feature two finalists for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II Player of the Year in UNA quarterback Jacob Tucker and Shepherd quarterback Jeff Ziemba.
North Alabama is making its first semifinal appearance since 2008.
The Quad-Cities Daily was on hand at the Airport to see the team off and to take some EVENT PHOTOS of the team members.
