CONWAY - The Central Arkansas defense felt it needed to respond better after being dominated in the Bears’ first two scrimmages.
On Friday, the defense responded with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a safety in an hour-long scrimmage at Estes Stadium.
The 80-play scrimmage was beneficial for a unit led by first-year defensive coordinator Greg Stewart, a former college teammate of Bears Coach Steve Campbell at Troy.
“Defense had a much better day than they did in the last scrimmage,” Campbell said. “Our defense has made a lot of improvements in the last couple of days. They’ve played with a high level of intensity.”
UCA’s defense allowed 401.3 yards per game and gave up at least 50 points in two games, both at home, against McNeese State (59-28) and eventual Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana (58-31).
Junior defensive end Jonathan Woodard said the defensive units came out Friday with better energy.
“The scrimmage before spring break, we came out pretty flat,” Woodard said. “We let the offense dictate the kind of ball we had to play. We set the tone from the get-go.”
Woodard added that Stewart, a former defensive coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette, has been a good addition to the UCA staff so far.
“He’s a high-energy guy,” Woodard said of Stewart, who replaced Matt Williamson after Williamson joined former UCA coach Clint Conque’s staff at Stephen F. Austin. “He always has us flying to the football.
“We’ll be a lot more physical football team this year.”
Meanwhile, quarterbacks Ryan Howard and Taylor Reed each threw an interception. Howard’s interception was returned for a touchdown by senior defensive back Dominique Brown.
Running backs Willie Matthews, Blake Veasley and Danzel Williams each scored a touchdown. Eddie Camara kicked two field goals.
With two more practices left and the spring game Saturday, Campbell, who came to UCA from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, hopes the offense can perform better than it did Friday over the final week of spring practice.
“I’d like to see us protect the ball better,” Campbell said. “We’ve been playing slow. Our tempo isn’t where it needs to be.”
Sports, Pages 25 on 04/06/2014