UCA Makes Most of Gifts from North Alabama to Grab 24-19 Win

CONWAY, Ark. — No. 10/12 Central Arkansas took advantage of five North Alabama turnovers to grab a 24-19 victory over the Lions on Saturday at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

UCA, now 6-2 overall and 3-1 in United Athletic Conference play, broke UNA’s three-game winning streak and dropped the Lions to 3-6 and 3-2.

The Bears recorded two interceptions, both by graduate cornerback T.D. Williams. All-American defensive end David Walker did most of the rest of the damage to earn L.B. Jackman Award honors as the most valuable player in the Homecoming game. Walker forced three fumbles, recovering one, had nine total tackles, including three tackles for loss and a half sack He also broke the school record for forced fumbles in a game.

Walker, a graduate from Stuttgart, Ark., broke the school career record for tackles for loss and now has 54.5. surpassing Jonathan Woodard’s record of 53.0. He is also three short of the career sack record with 27.5.

Senior safety Daylon Land and sophomore defensive lineman Kyion Williams had the other fumble recoveries for the Bears, who won the turnover battle by a whopping 5-0 margin.

UCA Bears tight end end Jordan Owens / Ted McClenn-AllBears+Images

The Bears got a first-quarter field goal of 30 yards from Jake Gaster and a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will McElvain to tight end Jordan Owens early in the second period. But the Lions scored twice before halftime to grab a 13-10 lead at the break.

UCA, held to just 133 yards of total offense in the first half, struck quickly in the second half when McElvain found redshirt freshman receiver Malachi Henry for a pair of touchdowns. The first, a 21-yarder, came with 11:35 left in the third quarter and gave the Bears the lead back for good at 17-13. The second was a 69-yarder that came two plays after Kyion Williams’ fumble recovery and staked the Bears to a 24-13 lead.

The Lions, who lost three consecutive fumbles in the third and fourth quarters, added a late touchdown with an 8-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard run by quarterback T.J. Smith. They failed on a two-point conversion attempt for the second time in the game. UNA got the ball back for one final shot with 1:17 left after a UCA punt.

The Lions drove to the midfield before T.D. Williams picked off Smith’s pass again to seal it with 32 seconds remaining.

UCA coach Nathan Brown against North Alabama / Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images

“Excited about the win,” said UCA coach Nathan Brown. “Bottom line is a win is a win is a win. We knew we were playing a team coming off a Top 10 win against Abilene (Christian) the last time they were out, and winners of three straight. Obviously playing a team that has some momentum and playing at a high level right now.

“So we knew we were going to get their best shot. And they were obviously 3-1 in the conference so they had a lot to play for. So we knew this was going to be a tough game for us, coming out of the bye week. But at this point, it’s about holding serve. We’ve done enough to this point in the season to where we’re going into November is what we’ve allowed ourselves to be is in a really good situation nationally, in a really good situation within the United Athletic Conference.

“So finding a way to win this game was huge. It got us to 4-0 at home this year. So proud our ouf guys. Proud of our defense, played lights out tonight. Obviously the plus-5 on the turnover margin might be the difference in the game. That’s a huge game of field position and momentum.”

McElvain completed 21 of 31 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns, with Trejan Bridges (4 for 52), Owens (4 for 39) and running back Darius Hale (4 for 11) leading the way. Henry had two catches, both for touchdowns.

UCA Bears running back Darius Hale against North Alabama / Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images

UCA’s running backs, Hale and ShunDerrick Powell, both battled through injuries as UCA rushed for a season-low 56 yards.

Defensively, the Bears got a career-high 15 tackles from junior linebacker Jace Benesch of Hoxie, Ark., including a sack and three tackles for loss. Sophomore defensive end Buck Cobbs had three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as UCA finished with 10.0 tackles for loss and three sacks.

UCA returns to the road for its next two games, playing at Utah Tech next Saturday in St. George, Utah, and at Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 9 in Richmond, Ky.

Information from UCA Sports is included in this story