Omolo shines but Central Arkansas falls short against West Florida

Donovyn Omolo put together a strong two-way effort in a losing cause Saturday as Central Arkansas football fell to West Florida 42-14 in its home opener at Conway.

UCA moves to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play with the setback.

Three turnovers proved costly for the Bears, who lost a pair of fumbles and threw an interception.

West Florida cashed those mistakes in for 21 points, which ended up being the difference in a game where UCA actually out-gained the Argonauts on several drives but couldn’t finish enough of them.

Early miscue sets the tone

A blocked punt from Wyatt Salter handed West Florida a short field at the UCA 7 and the visitors wasted no time cashing it in for a 7-0 lead.

UCA answered with a solid response drive, picking up a first down on a 14-yard Omolo run and another through the air to Chapman McKown, though the possession stalled and ended in a punt.

West Florida tacked on a second rushing score before the quarter ended, making it 14-0.

Omolo broke off a 44-yard scamper to spark a 99-yard touchdown march to open the second quarter and Caleb Jones’ extra point trimmed the gap to 14-7.

West Florida answered a couple of UCA fumbles with touchdown drives of its own and led 28-7 at the break after a strong push into UCA territory late in the half ended on downs.

Bears defense settles in during fourth quarter

West Florida blew the game open early in the third quarter with a 37-yard interception return for a score before adding a 42-yard touchdown pass to go up 42-7.

Omolo answered with a nine-play 75-yard drive capped by a 24-yard scoring toss to James Jointer Jr.

UCA’s defense clamped down the rest of the way, holding the Argonauts off the board in the fourth quarter behind a big fourth-down stop from Kaydin Thomas and Reid Jones at the UCA 32.

Omolo finished 21 of 31 passing for 197 yards and a touchdown while adding 125 yards and a score on the ground.

Tyrell Pollard and Dakarai Anderson combined for nine catches and Trevion Traylor led the defense with nine tackles.

UCA hosts Central Oklahoma next Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. in Conway.