Victor Gabalis throws for 301 yards, 4 TDs to lead Tarleton State past North Alabama 52-31

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) — Victor Gabalis passed for 301 yards and connected with Keylan Johnson for four touchdowns to help Tarleton State beat North Alabama 52-31 on Saturday in a United Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Johnson tied a program record with four receiving touchdowns — covering 13, 64, 55 and 16 yards. His 219 yards receiving rank fifth in program history for a single game.

Tarleton outscored North Alabama 21-3 in the third quarter for a 38-31 lead. The Texans sealed it when DL Robert Rios returned an interception 50 yards with 10:36 remaining in the fourth. It was the converted offensive lineman's first career interception.

Kayvon Britten and Derrel Kelley III each added one rushing touchdown for Tarleton State (2-0).

Noah Walters completed 36-of-63 passes for 342 yards with one interception for North Alabama (1-2). Demarcus Lacey added 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll