UCA Bears aim for homecoming resurgence against Eastern Kentucky

CONWAY, Ark. — As the calendar turns to November, the UCA Bears (3-5, 2-2 United Athletic Conference) prepare to return home for their campus homecoming event and a key conference clash.

On Saturday at 4 p.m., UCA will host the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3-5, 1-3 UAC) at Estes Stadium in Conway.

This matchup offers both programs a chance to regain momentum in the UAC’s tight landscape. UCA, riding a narrow one-point loss at West Georgia in their most recent outing, looks to rebound as the regular-season finale stretch approaches.

Meanwhile, EKU, under head coach Walt Wells in his sixth season, enters off back-to-back losses and must better leverage its offense and defense to shift course.

UCA offense banking on run game and youth

The Bears’ offense has leaned heavily on sophomore running back Landen Chambers, who is averaging approximately 108 rushing yards per game and has posted six rushing touchdowns this season.

His consistent production offers a stable foundation as the passing game continues to develop. UCA sophomore quarterback Austin Myers has thrown nine touchdowns and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in four games thus far.

Wide receivers senior Malachi Henry and junior Tyrell Pollard provide the receiving threat. Henry with 46 catches for 557 yards and six touchdowns,

Pollard with 14 catches for 318 yards and five touchdowns. Such depth in the pass game gives the Bears options beyond the ground attack.

Defensively, UCA features impact players such as sophomore defensive back Dillon Williams (46 tackles), redshirt freshman linebacker Ashtyn Williams (45 tackles, one interception), senior defensive lineman Gary Lewis (five tackles for loss, three sacks) and senior DB Dude Person (41 tackles).

Their advanced metrics don’t yet reflect national attention, but they serve as the backbone of UCA’s effort to disrupt opposing offenses.

On homecoming weekend, UCA will hope that the crowd and campus energy fuel the execution it has lacked in close games.

EKU offense and defense with opportunity to turn tide

For EKU, the matchup presents a chance to arrest a slide that has seen offensive and defensive struggles.

Junior quarterback Myles Burkett has passed for 864 yards across eight games, but his numbers include only two passing touchdowns against seven interceptions.

He also has rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Brayden Latham carries the ground load with 93 carries for 413 yards (about 51.6 yards per game).

Wideouts Marcus Calwise Jr. and Dequan Stanley average about 25 yards per game and have each reached one receiving touchdown.

Defensively, the Colonels have been vulnerable, allowing 381 yards per game according to UCA’s preview.

Middle linebacker Kaden Smith and defensive back Jaheim Ward each exceed 60 tackles and carry multiple tackles for loss.

EKU’s recent historical strength in the FCS level and strong program heritage—two national titles under the legendary coach Roy Kidd—suggests the potential for a rebound, but consistency has been an issue in the current season.

The Colonels’ recent series advantage over UCA (4-2 in the last six matchups) gives them a touch of psychological edge.

Match-up dynamics and context

With both teams sitting at 3-5 overall, Saturday’s contest carries extra weight. A win would improve the victor’s standings in the UAC and possibly influence postseason considerations.

According to ESPN’s matchup listing, the Bears are 3-5 overall and 2-2 in UAC play, while the Colonels are 3-5 and 1-3.

Historically, the series between the teams has been competitive: UCA has won two of the last six, but EKU holds the advantage of four wins in that span.

Three of the past six contests were decided by three points, underlining how tight the rivalry has been.

For UCA, the homecoming setting adds pressure but also an opportunity: returning to Estes Stadium after a month away, the Bears hope to feed off the hometown crowd.

For EKU, the chance to take road control and improve their conference mark looms large.

Keys to victory

For UCA to prevail, establishing the run early through Chambers will be critical.

If opposing defenses focus too heavily on stopping the ground game, Myers and his receivers must exploit play-action opportunities. Defensively, the Bears must improve third-down efficiency and limit big plays.

For EKU, avoiding turnovers is paramount. With seven interceptions thrown by Burkett this season, limiting mistakes will allow their ground game and receivers more freedom.

Defensively, the Colonels must tighten discipline and reduce the yards allowed per play if they hope to upset a motivated UCA team.

What to watch

Will UCA’s offense maintain its balance between run and pass?

Can EKU’s defense reduce its yards-allowed average and force UCA into uncomfortable third-down situations?

Which team takes advantage of momentum swings — especially in a rivalry context and homecoming atmosphere?