UCA blows out Central Oklahoma 59-20 for huge win

Central Arkansas fans got a fun Saturday night in Conway.

UCA beat Central Oklahoma 59-20, and the ground game did most of the damage.

The Bears moved to 2-1 on the year while the Bronchos dropped to 1-1.

The offense never turned the ball over all night, which made it even harder on Central Oklahoma’s defense.

Running back Jalen Washington was the star of the show for UCA.

He carried the ball just 12 times but gained 202 yards and scored a touchdown. That kind of output doesn’t happen often for a Bears back.

UCA Bears quarterback Donovyn Omolo in game against Central Oklahoma. | Ted McClenning-allBEARS+ Images

UCA builds a steady lead

The Bears’ first score came the hard way.

The offense started at its own 1-yard line and drove 88 yards over 10 plays before kicker Caleb Jones hit a 33-yard field goal.

Quarterback Donovyn Omolo then connected on a 53-yard fourth-down pass to Tyrell Pollard to set up his own 9-yard touchdown run.

That made it 10-0 after one quarter.

Central Oklahoma answered with a touchdown early in the second quarter, but UCA had a quick response.

Washington broke off a 71-yard run and Omolo found Ty Durham for a 21-yard score just 48 seconds later.

Jakobe Shell forced two fumbles and recovered both during that same stretch.

Running back Cam Young punched in a short touchdown to push the lead to 24-7 before the Bronchos added a late field goal to make it 24-10 at the half.

UCA Bears coach Nathan Brown on the sidelines against Central Oklahoma. | Ted McClenning-allBEARS+ Images

Bears turn it on in third quarter

UCA came out of the locker room and put the game away fast.

Washington scored on another 71-yard run just seconds into the third quarter, and Bryson Adamoh followed with a 29-yard interception return for a score.

DaMari Smith then picked off a pass near midfield, and Omolo turned that turnover into a 6-yard touchdown throw to Dakarai Anderson.

Adamoh grabbed a second interception deep in Bears territory to keep the momentum rolling.

By the time the third quarter ended, UCA had scored 21 unanswered points and led 45-10.

UCA Bears defensive back Quentin McDowell in game against Central Oklahoma. | Ted McClenning-allBEARS+ Images

Defense and depth close it out

Central Oklahoma scored on a blocked punt to open the fourth quarter, but the Bears answered right back.

Tyler Dudden threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Durham to make it 52-17.

Sacks from Joseph Washington and Kaydin Thomas forced another Bronchos punt, and Enoch Assan broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run on the very next play.

That put UCA up 59-17 before Central Oklahoma tacked on a late field goal.

For the game, the Bears finished with 407 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, while Central Oklahoma managed only 32 yards on the ground.

UCA’s defense added four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and seven sacks. The 407 rushing yards ranks as the seventh-most in a single game in program history.

Omolo finished 11-for-15 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns, plus 32 yards and a score on the ground.

Durham caught three passes for 34 yards and two touchdowns, and Adamoh’s two interceptions included one returned for a touchdown.

Looking ahead

The Bears hit the road next, traveling to Cape Girardeau, Mo., to face Southeast Missouri State on Saturday at 6 p.m.