Football
Where did UCA stand in national FCS preseason poll?
Bears highest-ranked UAC team in STATS poll, but if things fall right, game at end could be huge.
CONWAY, Ark. — It’s a good thing Central Arkansas coach Nathan Brown is embracing the high expectations for the coming season. While he understands all these preseason polls mean nothing in November, you get the idea it’s helping UCA stay focused in the first few practices.
The Bears were picked 11th in the 2024 Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 poll on Monday.
UCA finished 7-4 overall last season and was one of two teams from the United Athletic Conference (UAC). Tarleton State is No. 21. The Bears will go to the Texans in Stephenville, Texas, on Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. It could be the biggest game of the season if both take care of business all season long.
UCA opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31, taking on Arkansas State at 6 p.m. in Jonesboro.
FCS PRESEASON POLL:
1. South Dakota State
2. North Dakota State
3. Montana
4. Montana State
5. South Dakota
6. Villanova
7. Idaho
8. Sacramento State
9. Chattanooga
10. Southern Illinois
11. Central Arkansas
12. Furman
13. Richmond
14. UIW
15. William & Mary
16. UAlbany
17. Lafayette
18. UC Davis
19. Illinois State
20. Western Carolina
21. Tarleton State
22. Weber State
23. Nicholls
24. North Dakota
25. Youngstown State
Others Receiving Votes Elon; UT Martin; Eastern Illinois; Mercer; Florida A&M; North Carolina Central; Austin Peay; Alabama State; Holy Cross; Eastern Washington; Drake; Duquesne; Harvard; Samford; Northern Iowa
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | @ Arkansas State | L, 34-31 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | @ Lindenwood | W, 34-13 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | Austin Peay | W, 45-17 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff | W, 56-17 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Lamar | W, 34-14 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ Abilene Christian | L, 41-34 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs West Georgia | W, 34-33 |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs North Alabama | W, 24-19 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Utah Tech | L, 34-21 |
| Sat, Nov 9 |  | @ Eastern Kentucky | L, 31-24 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Southern Utah | L, 38-31 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | @Tarleton State | 2:00 PM |
