Central Arkansas vs. Abilene Christian
WHEN 6 p.m.
WHERE Estes Stadium, Conway
RECORDS Central Arkansas 1-2, 1-0; Abilene Christian 2-1, 2-0
SERIES UCA leads 4-2-1
COACHES Steve Campbell (7-8 in second season at UCA, 133-46 in 15 seasons overall); Ken Collums (21-16 in fourth season at Abilene Christian and overall) RADIO KUCA-FM, 91.3, in Conway; KKPT-FM, 94.1, in Little Rock
INTERNET ucasports.com/watch
WHEN CENTRAL ARKANSAS HAS THE BALL Sophomore quarterback Hayden Hildebrand is likely getting his first career start in place of senior Taylor Reed, who injured his shoulder in last week’s victory over Northwestern (La.) State. Coach Steve Campbell and offensive coordinator Nathan Brown aren’t concerned, though, after watching Hildebrand complete 12 of 16 passes for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns in relief last week. Hildebrand was helped by a running game, too. Dominique Thomas gained 98 yards and Blake Veasley scored two touchdowns while the Bears averaged 5.1 yards per rush. UCA could look to keep the ball on the ground even more this week against the Wildcats, who have given up at least 208 yards rushing in each of their three games this season and are allowing 6.2 yards per rush. Stephen F. Austin rushed for 312 yards last week, a 35-32 Abilene Christian victory. The Wildcats counter with a quality pass defense. Teams are completing 49.7 percent of their passes against the Wildcats, who have intercepted four passes this season.
WHEN ABILENE CHRISTIAN HAS THE BALL Abilene Christian rushed for 286 yards in a 52-35 victory over UCA last year, but might be tempted to throw a bit more today. UCA is allowing 353.7 passing yards per game this season, the most in the Southland, and allowing teams to complete 59.6 percent of their passes. Abilene Christian Parker McKenzie entered as the Southland Conference’s most accomplished returning passer, and has followed up his honorable mention All-Southland season with a quality start. McKenzie’s 210.7 passing yards per game leads the Southland and he’s completing 63.2 percent of his passes with 5 touchdowns. The Wildcats have a ground threat, too, in De’Andre Brown, who is averaging 85.7 yards per game and has scored 4 rushing touchdowns. Brown rushed for 171 yards against the Bears last year.
THE STAKES A victory keeps UCA among the Southland unbeatens and its second 2-0 start in the Southland in consecutive years. Abilene Christian Coach Ken Collum is a former UCA quarterback who led the Bears to the 1991 NAIA national championship. Today will be his first game as an opposing coach at Estes Stadium.
QUOTING COACH CAMPBELL “More than anything else, we’re getting better at tackling and getting guys on the ground and getting a lot of people to the ball. That’s the focus: Get people to the football and then tackle.”