Bears host Wildcats for Senior Day at Estes Stadium

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas closes its season Saturday at Estes Stadium when the Bears host Abilene Christian on Senior Day.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., and the program will honor 17 seniors shortly before the game.

The Bears enter the matchup at 3-8 overall and 2-5 in league play. They return home after a long season that included several close games, with the team falling to 1-4 in one-score contests.

That statistic has shaped much of the year and added meaning to the final outing for the senior class.

Abilene Christian comes in at 7-4 overall and 6-1 in league competition. The Wildcats have a chance to secure at least a share of the conference championship.

A win would give ACU the automatic FCS playoff berth. A loss would likely end the Wildcats’ hopes of extending their season.

The Bears continue to lean on standout running back Landen Chambers, who has rushed for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Chambers has collected nine 100-yard games this season, including eight straight that tied the all-time program record set by Shawn McGehee in 1985. His consistency has made him one of the most productive backs in school history.

Quarterback Austin Myers has started the past six games and thrown for 1,597 yards and 13 touchdowns. His presence has helped steady the offense in the second half of the year.

The Bears’ top receiving threat, Malachi Henry, has posted 747 yards and eight touchdowns as he continues to be a reliable target.

On defense, Dillon Williams leads with 68 tackles and two interceptions. Ashtyn Williams follows with 63 tackles and one interception, while Dude Person has added 60 tackles.

The group has handled a large workload and will play key roles in limiting Abilene Christian’s balanced attack.

Wildcats seek postseason path

Abilene Christian arrives with a chance to extend its season into the FCS playoffs.

Quarterback Stone Earle has thrown for 2,461 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions, helping guide ACU to one of its strongest conference runs in recent years.

The Wildcats use a three-back rotation to support the passing game. Rovaughn Banks Jr. leads the team with 557 rushing yards.

Jordan Vaughn and EJ Wilson each average 5.4 yards per carry, giving ACU steady production across its offensive backfield.

Receiver Javon Gipson leads the Wildcats with 598 yards and three touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field makes him a central part of the passing attack.

Defensively, ACU leans on three key contributors. Linebacker Rashon Myles Jr. leads the team with 97 tackles, including six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception.

Will Shaffer has 90 tackles, a half-sack and one interception. Safety Dorian Plumley has totaled 68 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions. Their production has carried Abilene Christian through conference play.

Senior Day carries meaning for Bears

Saturday is a chance for UCA to close the year on a positive note while recognizing seniors who have helped guide the program.

Many of the team’s leaders have been part of multiple seasons at Estes Stadium, and the game provides one final moment to play in front of home fans.

The Bears will rely heavily on Chambers’ running ability to establish rhythm. His season has been one of the strongest individual efforts in recent program history.

Myers and Henry are expected to remain central to the passing game, especially on critical downs.

Defensively, slowing down Earle and ACU’s balanced run game will be one of the biggest assignments.

The Wildcats’ ability to spread carries among three backs has been a key part of their late-season surge. UCA’s defense will need strong tackling and discipline to limit big plays.

The Bears hope that a strong finish at home can provide momentum heading into the offseason.

For the seniors, it is a chance to close their careers in front of family, teammates and the Conway community.

The game will be available on ESPN+, with radio broadcasts on The Bear 91.3 and The Point 94.1. Live statistics will be provided for fans following from home.

Key takeaways

• UCA will honor 17 seniors in its final home game of the season.

• Abilene Christian must win to secure a share of the league title and clinch an FCS playoff berth.

• UCA’s offense centers on Landen Chambers, Austin Myers and Malachi Henry as they close the season.