Football
Another Big Game Today for Bears at Eastern Kentucky
After shocking loss last week, UCA looking to bounce back in another key UAC game on road
RICHMOND, Ky. — Central Arkansas has the first of several key United Athletic Conference matchups on Saturday when they take on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at 1 p.m. at Roy Kidd Stadium.
The No. 16/19 Bears (6-3) are tied with the Colonels (5-4) for third place in the UAC standings with 3-2 records, with three games remaining. UCA closes the regular season at home against Southern Utah (3-2) on Nov. 16 and at Tarleton State (4-1)on Nov. 23.
The Bears are coming off a 34-21 loss at Utah Tech last Saturday. EKU handed Tarleton State its first conference loss 17-13 last weekend in Stephenville, Texas. The Colonels started the season 3-4 but have won two consecutive games since.
UCA, which played without running back ShunDerrick Powell last week, is 2-2 in its last four games, beating West Georgia and North Alabama and losing to first-place Abilene Christian and Utah Tech.
The Colonels lead the overall series 3-2 but UCA won last year’s meeting in dramatic fashion at Estes Stadium. The Bears scored on the first play of the game on a T.D. Williams 52-yard interception return, then closed the game with another touchdown on the final play of the game, a 46-yard Hail Mary pass from Will McElvain to Jarrod Barnes as time expired in a 27-24 victory.
UCA has the No. 2 scoring offense in the UAC, averaging 34.8 points per game, and the No. 3 scoring defense, allowing 24.7 points. The Bears are also No. 2 in total offense (438.4 yards per game) and No. 3 in total defense (369.8).
The Bears have allowed just 12 sacks in nine games while leading the UAC in sacks recorded with 28, led by senior defensive end David Walker with nine. He also leads the UAC and the nation in tackles for loss with 18.5 after breaking the UCA career record two weeks ago. Walker now has 57.5 tackles for loss in less than three full seasons.
