Central Arkansas vs. Nicholls State
WHEN 3 p.m.
WHERE Estes Stadium, Conway
RECORDS Central Arkansas 1-3, 0-0; Nicholls State 0-4, 0-0
COACHES UCA: Steve Campbell (1-3 in first season at UCA; 127-41 in 13th season overall); Nicholls State: Steve Axman (0-1 in first season at Nicholls State, 48-42 in eight seasons overall)
SERIES UCA leads 6-2
TV KARZ
RADIO KHLR-FM, 106.7, in Benton/Little Rock; KUCA-FM, 91.3 in Conway
INTERNET ucasports.com
WHEN UCA HAS THE BALL Central Arkansas expects to return to its two-quarterback system considering Taylor Reed should to be available today. Reed started the first three games but missed last week’s game with concussion-like symptoms. Senior Ryan Howard started for the first time this season in last week’s loss to Missouri State. He’ll likely start today, but Coach Steve Campbell said both should play. No matter who the quarterback is, today’s opponent might help the Bears rebound from their three-turnover performance last week. Nicholls State has lost its four games by a combined score of 221-36, including a 73-7 loss at Arkansas and a 27-10 loss to Division II Henderson State. The Colonels have yet to record a sack, rank last in the Southland Conference in scoring defense (55.2 points per game), total defense (537.2 yards per game), rushing defense (392.5 yards per game) and opponents have scored 19 touchdowns in 24 trips inside the red zone.
WHEN NICHOLLS STATE HAS THE BALL Nicholls State may have been the worst defensive team in the Southland Conference so far, but Central Arkansas is close behind. The Bears have allowed 35.5 points per game, seventh-most in the 11-team league, rank 10th in total defense (534.8) and last in pass defense (341.8), and have allowed 103 first downs, fourth-most in the FCS. But like UCA’s offense, the Bears’ defense will likely face its lightest challenge today. The Colonels average 36 points, the sixth-fewest in the FCS among teams that have played more than one game, and they have committed more turnovers (six) than they have scored touchdowns (four). UCA defensive end Jonathan Woodard said this week that the Bears are seeking a better pass rush, and today could provide a good opportunity. The Bears have accumulated three sacks through four games, but the Colonels have allowed 26, the most in all four levels of NCAA football.
WHAT’S AT STAKE If Central Arkansas wants to return to the FCS playoffs for the third time in four seasons, a victory today is essential. The Bears started 1-3 when they reached the 2011 playoffs, but answered the slow start by winning their final eight games to win the Southland title. UCA’s schedule only gets tougher after today. It travels to Stephen F. Austin to face former coach Clint Conque next week, then plays four of its final five games against No. 11 Southeastern Louisiana, Sam Houston State, which has reached the FCS playoffs each of the past three seasons, and two teams that have knocked off FBS programs in Northwestern State and Abilene Christian.
QUOTING COACH CAMPBELL “[Southland] is our focus right now. Let’s get started in conference. Clean slate. Everybody is 0-0 in conference and we’re ready to go from here.”
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Jackson State
WHEN 6 p.m.
WHERE Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff RECORDS UAPB 1-2, 0-1 SWAC; Jackson State 2-2, 0-1
COACHES UAPB: Monte Coleman (32-38 in seventh season at UAPB and overall); Jackson State: Harold Jackson (2-2 in first season at Jackson State and overall) TV None
RADIO KUAP-FM, 89.7, in Pine Bluff
INTERNET uapblionsroar.com
WHEN UAPB HAS THE BALL Before the season began, Coach Monte Coleman said he didn’t want quarterback Ben Anderson carrying as much of a load as he did a year ago. Anderson has done less statistically, but it hasn’t amounted to much more for the Golden Lions. Anderson has completed 33 of 63 passes for 391 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception through 3 games, although he has received little help. He’s also the team’s leading rusher at 199 yards on 43 attempts. His total offense average of 196.7 yards per game ranks sixth in the SWAC and counts for almost 70 percent of UAPB’s offense. Last year, Anderson’s 3,586 yards of total offense were 77 percent of UAPB’s yards. Getting a running game going beyond Anderson might be difficult today, considering Jackson State has held teams to 98 yards per game on the ground. Fullback Michael Wilson has rushed for 98 yards and 1 touchdown, but starting running back Aaron LaGrone has been held to 2.8 yards per carry.
WHEN JACKSON STATE HAS THE BALL UAPB couldn’t stop the run last week in a loss at Alabama State. The Golden Lions might have trouble stopping the pass tonight. LaMontiez Ivy passed for 407 yards and 4 touchdowns last week in a victory over Grambling State and has passed for 1,054 yards and 8 touchdowns through 4 games. Although UAPB has given up the second-fewest passing yards (525) in the SWAC, that’s likely a byproduct of two blowout losses. Teams have completed 65.6 percent of their passes against UAPB and are averaging 8.2 yards per attempt, second-most in the league. Ivy, 6-3, 230 pounds, has thrown seven interceptions, including three last week. So UAPB’s best chance to slow him might be to force a turnover or two. That’s been a struggle for the Golden Lions. Kevin Rucker has the team’s only interception, and Jontrel Lockett recovered its only fumble. Their two forced turnovers are the fewest in the SWAC and are tied for fourth fewest in the FCS.
WHAT’S AT STAKE UAPB coaches and players claim they aren’t panicking about the slow start, but they implied a victory this weekend is a must. Coleman has shown his team the path his 2012 team took the SWAC title. That season, UAPB lost its first SWAC game before winning its final eight games to earn a spot in the championship game. UAPB could still make it to the title game with a loss today, considering it has yet to play a fellow West Division opponent, but if UAPB loses and Prairie View A&M wins the Golden Lions will be the only division team without a league victory.
QUOTING COACH COLEMAN “This is what I’m trying to get the fans, the team, to see. We’re sitting in the exact same spot as we were in 2012.”