by Knight Jerry This week, Terry Bowden’s UNA Lions open their 2010 football season in hopes of adding the school’s fourth Division II National Championship to the trophy room. Expectations are once again running high for this year’s squad, with the addition of several Division I transfers, along with returning veterans.

This is the 15th anniversary of the Lions last National Championship in 1995—their record-setting third consecutive title. Going into the ’95 season— UNA’s goal was to become the only team in college football scholarship history on any level—to win three consecutive National Championships.

With 19 starters returning from the previous year, it was no wonder the Lions dominated Division II college football like no other team in history. They posted a 14-0 record and also became the first team in the history of college football on any level to win 40 or more games in a threeyear span.

During their amazing three-year run, the Lions posted an overall 41-1 record and held the No. 1 ranking in the polls for a national record 27 consecutive weeks. Individually, three-time consensus All-American Ronald McKinnon, became the first defensive player to win the coveted Harlon Hill Award as Division II’s Most Outstanding Player.

Nine other players on that ’95 team joined McKinnon as All-Americans that season: Keith Humphrey, Israel Raybon, Marcus Keyes, Reginald Ruffin, Gerald Smith, Cody Gross, Jarius Hayes, Jon Thompson and Michael Williams. Head Coach Bobby Wallace was named Division II National Coach of The Year all three seasons.

The Lions closed the 1995 season with several streaks intact—26 straight home field wins, 18 straight wins over nationally ranked Division II opponents, 12 consecutive NCAA playoff wins and an overall 23 game winning streak, following their only loss during those three seasons—a 17-14 defeat at the hands of Division 1-AA National Champion Youngstown State on the road.

No doubt the greatest honor bestowed on this 1995 team was when they were named the “Best Division II Team of The Quarter Century.” As their broadcaster, I tell you: “this team was something to behold throughout the entire season.” They were a pleasure to watch.

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