FLORENCE, Ala. - - North Alabama's first home game as a full NCAA Division I FCS member did not get off to the best of starts but, the Lions recovered from a 14-point first-quarter deficit to score a 49-17 victory over NCAA Division II UVA Wise at Braly Stadium Saturday.

North Alabama (1-1) used a 21-point second quarter to take a lead it would not relinquish. ShunDerrick Powell ignited the Lions' offense with a 75-yard rushing touchdown at the 13:22 mark of the second quarter. The back helped the host tie the game later in the quarter when he darted in from seven yards out to cap a 6-play, 55-yard drive.

UVA Wise (1-1) regained the lead with 2:28 to play in the first half when Kellan Dalton booted a 31-yard field goal. The lead was short-lived, Andre Little hauled in a 9-yard touchdown reception from Noah Walters with 12 seconds remaining in the half to send North Alabama to intermission in front 21-17.

The momentum continued for the Lions in the third quarter. Powell scored his third rushing touchdown of the game when he scored from 31 yards out to make it a 28-17 affair before Demarcus Lacey accounted for all 44 yards on a scoring drive as he scored a rushing touchdown from the 1-yard line to make it a 35-17 contest.

Both North Alabama touchdowns in the quarter came off of short fields. A fumble set up the first score before the Lions' defense held the Cavaliers on a fourth down play to take over in plus territory.

North Alabama's rushing attack continued to flourish in the fourth quarter. Powell opened the period with a 41-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the night to extend the lead to 42-17. The Lions tacked on one final touchdown with 3:21 to play when TJ Finney capped a 66-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown plunge.

Powell finished the game with 251 rushing yards on 20 attempts to spearhead a North Alabama rushing attack that gained 369 yards on the evening. In a single game, the 251 rushing yards are the most ever by a Lion.

The Cavs began the game fast. UVA Wise received the opening kickoff and scored when Lendon Redwine capped a 15-play, 76-yard drive with a touchdown run on a fourth down and goal play from the Lions' 1-yard line. A possession later, Tyler Kirkess scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career as he made a one-handed touchdown grab from 26 yards out.

Dorien Goddard and Kirkess had big nights catching the football in defeat. Goddard finished with six catches for 93 yards while Kirkess grabbed four receptions 95 yards. Redwine finished the game 24-for-35 through the air with 268 yards.

UVA Wise will open South Atlantic Conference action next week when Barton College visits Smith Stadium for Homecoming 2022. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.