Central Arkansas Open 2025 Season Against SEC Team at Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Central Arkansas will open its 2025 football season on Thursday at Missouri, facing the Tigers for the first time in program history.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.

The Bears, picked to finish fifth in the nine-team United Athletic Conference preseason poll, return five preseason all-conference selections. Wide receiver Malachi Henry and offensive linemen Will Diggins and Jamal Mull received recognition on offense. Defensive lineman Bradley Clark and defensive back Dillon Williams were honored on defense.

Missouri, projected 12th in the 16-team Southeastern Conference preseason poll, brings three preseason all-conference picks: first-team offensive lineman Cayden Green, second-team wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. and third-team defensive back Jalen Catalon. The Tigers, led by coach Eli Drinkwitz, have won 21 games in the past two seasons.

UCA coach Nathan Brown acknowledged the challenge.

“Well, if you take the first game against Missouri, that’s a mountain in itself, right? The cards are stacked against you. They’ve got more scholarships. They recruit the top talent across the country. They’ve won 21 games in two years. They have a great program; I’ve got a ton of respect for what Coach Drinkwitz has done,” Brown said. “But we are ready to go compete, tired of hitting each other in practice, ready to go play against someone else and see what we have and what adjustments we need to make moving forward.”

The Bears’ preseason ranking is buoyed by the experience of Henry, Diggins, Mull, Clark and Williams, who are expected to provide leadership on both sides of the ball.

UCA will use Thursday’s contest as a measuring stick against a Power Five program.

Missouri, despite its lower preseason ranking in the SEC, remains a threat. Drinkwitz’s squad has posted back-to-back strong seasons and features top talent at key positions. The Tigers will look to start their year strong with Green, Coleman Jr. and Catalon anchoring the lineup.

The game represents an opportunity for UCA to compete on a national stage and evaluate its roster before heading into conference play. The Bears will return to Estes Stadium on Sept. 6 to face their first home opponent of the season.

Brown said his players are eager for the test.

“We are ready to go compete,” Brown said. “Tired of hitting each other in practice, ready to go play against someone else and see what we have and what adjustments we need to make moving forward.”

Thursday’s opener is expected to provide insight into the Bears’ potential for the 2025 season. The matchup will be the first time UCA and Missouri have met on the football field.

The Bears will use the result in Columbia as a baseline for evaluating their strengths and weaknesses before continuing their 2025 campaign.