FLORENCE, Ala. (Interstat) — North Alabama defeated Western Illinois 23-20 on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Braly Municipal Stadium. The Lions moved to 3-2, while the Leathernecks fell to 2-3. Destin Wade led North Alabama with a passing and rushing performance that included the decisive score in the closing minute. Western Illinois had opportunities late, but the Lions made the final impactful play. The game featured a blocked punt return for a touchdown, two fourth-quarter field goals by Western Illinois and a late North Alabama touchdown drive that decided the outcome. The Lions’ win came in a nonconference-style matchup between programs competing in the NCAA Football Championship Division, and it was decided in the final minute after both teams traded scoring chances.

North Alabama’s special teams delivered the first major swing. Western Illinois kicker Ronan Culkin missed a 44-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter. Later in the opening period, Luke Droegemueller’s punt was blocked by LaFenis Mays Jr., who recovered the ball and returned it for a touchdown. The two-point try by B. Bowen failed. North Alabama later tied and built its lead behind Wade, who completed 15 of 27 passes for 219 yards and had two touchdowns. Wade scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter, and Ian Vachon’s extra point followed. Vachon added a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter. The blocked punt changed field position and momentum after Western Illinois had threatened early. Western Illinois’ offense found some traction, but North Alabama’s defense bent without breaking for much of the middle quarters.

Western Illinois answered through its passing game. Kennedy McGill completed 15 of 28 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with David Hargro for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Culkin’s extra point pulled the Leathernecks closer. Culkin later made field goals of 31 and 37 yards in the fourth quarter to give Western Illinois a late advantage. North Alabama responded with its final possession, as Wade scored on a 1-yard run with 51 seconds remaining. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was assessed to North Alabama after the play, but the Lions defense held on for the win. The Leathernecks’ late drives produced points, but North Alabama’s final answer proved enough. The lead changed hands in the fourth quarter, and the final minutes featured a tense finish.

McGill also rushed 27 times for 24 yards and punted once for 43 yards. Ihson Jackson-Anderson was a versatile threat for Western Illinois, carrying 12 times for 34 yards, catching five passes for 117 yards and returning three kickoffs for 62 yards. Avery Knight added five carries for 17 yards and two receptions for 54 yards. Christian Anaya caught three passes for 51 yards. Hargro finished with four receptions for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Kania ran once for 13 yards and caught one pass for 6 yards. Luke Droegemueller punted eight times for 326 yards. Sheko Gjokaj returned two punts for 9 yards. Tanner Zolnosky did not record a statistic.

Wade’s top target was Xavier Johnson, who caught six passes for 121 yards. Snap Reed added four receptions for 44 yards. Eli Sisson caught one pass for 22 yards. KJ Fields had two receptions for 14 yards, and Ty Watkins caught one pass for 13 yards. Chris McMillian led the North Alabama rushing effort with 10 carries for 27 yards and one reception for 5 yards. Jalen Fletcher ran four times for 11 yards. Roderick Taylor Jr. carried five times for 1 yard. Azariah Fletcher ran once for 1 yard and returned one kickoff for 24 yards. Ethan Abberger ran once for 6 yards and returned two punts for 11 yards. Charles Mulcahy punted eight times for 375 yards. Wade entered the game with recent success, having thrown for 296 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Alcorn State.

Western Illinois got strong defensive production from Justin Buckner, who made seven tackles and two quarterback hurries. Nick Reinicke added seven tackles. LeBron Morgan recorded seven tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Cidney Johnson had seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. DonPaul Keith and Jake Kruger each made five tackles. Devon Anderson and Antonio Dobbins each finished with three tackles. Christian Garrett had two tackles and one interception. Jamesly Jean Louis posted two tackles and half a sack. Aa’zoriyon Bonner had one tackle and one sack. Steven Oberst, Jalen Nicolas, Elia Ofosu, Brayden Hapner and Anthony Stribling each made one tackle.

North Alabama’s defense was led by Cayden Adkins with seven tackles. Avery Howard made six tackles, three sacks and five quarterback hurries. Fred Vili added six tackles and one sack. Leo Glover and Kanijal Thomas each made six tackles. Thomas also recorded one quarterback hurry. Kamore Harris finished with five tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. LaFenis Mays Jr. blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Kavion Benton, Donovan Nevils and Trevion Butler each recorded one tackle. The Lions improved to 3-2 after earlier wins over Samford and Alcorn State and losses to Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana. Western Illinois moved to 2-3 after earlier wins over Northwestern (Iowa) and Morehead State and losses to Illinois State and Wisconsin. Western Illinois will host Tennessee State next, while North Alabama will visit Eastern Kentucky. The win gave North Alabama a winning record through five games, while Western Illinois remained below .500.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of North Alabama 42, Western Illinois 31. Interstat’s ELO system had projected North Alabama with a 72.7 percent probability to win. Western Illinois had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +7. The total score of 43 went over the over/under line of 53.5.