CONWAY, Ark. – No. 7 Central Arkansas was supposed to face a Lamar team that posed a threat to its Top 10 status. Those expectations were proven wrong. Very wrong.

The Bears (4-1) led 20-7 at halftime and never let the Cardinals (3-2) come closer in a 34-14 UCA victory.

Here are five stats that tell the story of how the Bears’ rolled past Lamar:

290

That’s the total number of rushing yards UCA’s offense had against Lamar. The Bears’ offense has been led by its ground game all season and for good reason. The Bears have the seventh-highest scoring offense (40.4 ppg) in FCS and fifth-best rushing offense. (272.8 ypg)

7.2

That’s ShunDerrick Powell’s average number of yards gained against Lamar. He ran the ball 26 times for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Through five games, Powell ranks second in every major rushing category, which includes the following four stats:

• Total rushing yards: 810
• Total rushing TDs: 10
• Yards per carry: 8.9
• Yards per game: 162

4.2

That’s the number of yards Lamar’s offense averaged per play against UCA. Lamar’s offense entered Saturday’s game with an offense led by its ground game that’s averaged 165 yards a game. The Bears shut down Lamar’s rushing offense and it’s passing offense, too. The Cardinals had just 220 total yards and only 108 rushing.

Another round of @HilandDairy Hilights. This time a top 20 win version.#BearClawsUp pic.twitter.com/3UHCpPMnyn

— #12 𝗨𝗖𝗔 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 (@UCA_Football) September 30, 2024

364

That’s the total number of yards Jake Ward’s kickoffs traveled. He had six kickoffs that averaged more than 60 yards and three were touchbacks. That’s 144 more yards than the total yards Lamar’s offense had.

3

That’s how many first down conversions Lamar’s offense had on third- and fourth-down situations in 11 opportunities. UCA’s defense forced just one takeaway, but was able to get off the field without many issues.