1976 Central Arkansas Bears reunite in Conway as UCA hosts UTRGV

Central Arkansas has more going on in football that just one game on the calendar this weekend. Some of it goes back 50 years.

Members of the 1976 team will hold a reunion Friday night at Mike’s Place in downtown Conway. They’ll be recognized during Saturday’s game.

That group played for a national championship. It also showed fans UCA could win football games.

The program’s won more than 70% of its games in the 50 years since.

Saturday’s opponent hasn’t been around long enough to have that kind of history. UT Rio Grande Valley played its first season in 2025, while the Bears started in 1908.

The game kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Estes Stadium. It’s a nonconference matchup and the first time the two programs have met.

Back home after five weeks

It’s been a while since UCA played in Conway.

Four road games and a bye week kept the Bears away from Estes Stadium for five straight weeks.

Saturday starts a stretch of three straight home games.

UCA is 2-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play. Nathan Brown is in his ninth season as head coach.

The Vaqueros are 3-4 and 2-3 in the Southland Conference. That has them in seventh place.

Travis Bush is in his second season as their coach.

Williams keeps piling up tackles

The Bears’ defense runs through linebacker Ashtyn Williams.

The sophomore has 79 total tackles, fifth in the FCS. He’s averaging 11.3 a game, which ranks fourth.

On offense, it’s mostly sophomore quarterback Donovyn Omolo. He’s completed 63% of his passes for 1,202 yards and seven touchdowns.

He’s also run for 482 yards and three touchdowns.

Jalen Washington, a redshirt freshman, leads the team with 552 rushing yards and six scores.

Dakarai Anderson leads the receivers with 33 catches for 302 yards and a touchdown.

Captains Deorious Cobbs and Arlie Lee previewed the game in an audio clip on UCA’s website.

UTRGV could switch quarterbacks

The Vaqueros might have a different quarterback Saturday. Indications are Garret Rangel will return to the lineup after being out.

Aidan Jakobsohn has run the offense so far. He’s thrown for 1,237 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 56% of his passes.

Jakobsohn also has 159 net rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Receiver Kyran Lee has 36 catches for 507 yards and four TDs.

Running back Brennan Carroll has 334 yards on 55 carries and one touchdown.

Linebacker Spencer Rich leads the defense with 75 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

How to watch or listen

ESPN+ will carry the game. It’s also on The Bear 91.3 and The Point 94.1, and live stats will be online.

The 1976 team gets its moment on the field Saturday.

Then it’s up to the current Bears to give them something to cheer about.