Bears fall, 18-17, at West Georgia in narrow conference loss

CARROLLTON, Ga. — Central Arkansas led nearly all afternoon but came up one play short, falling 18-17 to West Georgia on Saturday in a UAC game that stung more than the score reflected.

The Bears held a 17-6 lead late in the third quarter and appeared poised to close out a critical road victory.

Instead, West Georgia rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including the game-winner from quarterback Ty Reasor to Owen Dupree with 1:31 left. The Wolves’ defense then stopped UCA on fourth down to seal the win.

The defeat dropped the Bears to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while West Georgia improved to 4-4 (3-1 UAC). It was the second straight week UCA lost a one-score game despite leading for much of the contest.

Quarterback Austin Myers completed 21 of 30 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, both in the second quarter. Running back Landen Chambers continued his standout season with 122 yards on 28 carries, marking his fifth consecutive 100-yard game.

The Bears outgained West Georgia 339-320 and held a 32:46 to 27:07 edge in time of possession, but turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly.

Bears build early lead behind balanced attack

UCA took control in the second quarter when Myers found receiver Arlie Lee on an 11-yard touchdown pass to cap a 10-play drive.

Moments later, Myers connected with Malachi Henry for a 3-yard strike that gave the Bears a 14-3 lead.

The defense was solid early, forcing field goals on two red-zone trips by the Wolves. Safety Deuce Vaughn and linebacker Xavion Hampton helped stuff the run and contain Reasor, who was pressured on multiple third-down plays.

After a West Georgia field goal trimmed the margin to 14-6, UCA added a 34-yard field goal from Tristan Trapp midway through the third quarter. Everything pointed toward a solid road performance from a team seeking to even its record.

Then, as had happened earlier this season against North Alabama and Tarleton State, the Bears faltered late.

Wolves surge in fourth quarter

Trailing by 11 entering the final period, West Georgia mounted two scoring drives behind Reasor’s arm and Dupree’s playmaking. The first touchdown came on a fade route that cut the deficit to 17-12 after a failed two-point conversion.

On their final drive, the Wolves converted a pair of third downs before Reasor lofted a pass to Dupree in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score. A missed extra point left the door open for UCA, but the Bears couldn’t capitalize.

UCA’ final possession reached midfield before stalling on fourth-and-short. Myers’ throw to Lee was deflected, and West Georgia ran out the clock from there.

The loss overshadowed another strong defensive showing for much of the game. UCA’s front limited West Georgia’s rushing attack to 110 yards, with linebacker Hudson Clark recording eight tackles and a forced fumble.

Defensive stand not enough

The Bears’ defense made a statement earlier in the fourth quarter when it stopped West Georgia on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. That goal-line stand briefly preserved a lead and energized the sideline.

But the offense couldn’t sustain drives when it mattered most. UCA went three-and-out on its next two possessions, opening the door for the Wolves’ comeback.

Coach Nathan Brown said the team’s effort was strong but lamented its inability to close. “We’ve got to learn to finish. We played well enough to win, but we didn’t execute in the final minutes,” Brown said. “That’s on all of us, and it’s something we’ll keep working to correct.”

Chambers said the locker room was “hurting” after the loss but insisted the group remains confident. “We’ve been close a lot this year,” he said. “We just have to find that one extra play that turns the game our way.”

Looking ahead to Homecoming

UCA will return to Conway next Saturday to host Eastern Kentucky for Homecoming at Estes Stadium. The Colonels, long a UAC rival, will enter with a 4-3 record after their win over Utah Tech.

Brown said his focus now turns to regrouping his players. “We still have everything to play for,” he said. “This team competes, and I believe they’ll respond the right way.”

Despite sitting at 3-5, the Bears remain in the mix for a winning conference record. With Chambers running effectively and Myers continuing to improve under center, UCA has reason to believe better days are ahead if it can tighten its late-game execution.

Key takeaways

• UCA outgained West Georgia but lost after giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
• Landen Chambers rushed for 122 yards, his fifth straight 100-yard performance.
• UCA returns home 3-5 overall and 2-2 in conference play to face Eastern Kentucky on Homecoming.