CONWAY -- Central Arkansas junior running back Carlos Blackman picked a good time for a big game.
He might need a few more.
Blackman rushed for 135 yards and 1 touchdown on 24 carries as UCA rallied from a 31-17 fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime in what would become a 34-31 loss at Sam Houston State last Saturday.
With less than four minutes left in the game, sophomore quarterback Breylin Smith's ankle broke on a fourth-and-7 play after he passed to senior Jakari Dillard for a first down at the Sam Houston 2. Reserve junior Kirk Baugh came in to throw a game-tying touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Jack Short, but UCA failed to score on its first overtime possession and lost to a Sam Houston State field goal.
With Smith lost for the season, Baugh is the likely starter when UCA hosts the Houston Baptist Huskies at Estes Stadium today. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Blackman, 6-1, 228 pounds, said he is ready for the new challenge.
"We're going to do whatever it takes," Blackman said. "I know we're all going to have to step up. It's Kirk's time. He's going to step up and play well. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do."
Before Blackman's statistical outburst at Sam Houston State, he had not rushed for more than 75 yards in UCA's first three games.
UCA Coach Nathan Brown believes Blackman will continue to make significant contributions. He sounded particularly impressed by Blackman's 1-yard touchdown run that pulled UCA within 21-17 midway through the third quarter.
"You can tell the improvements he's made," Brown said. "Against Sam Houston, he understood that he could cut it back and be one on one at the goal line with a defensive back, and he ran through the guy. He understands what we're trying to accomplish, and that's making him a better running back."
Brown said he expected those kinds of performances the first time he saw film from Blackman's senior season at Gosnell High School.
"It took me two minutes watching his highlight tape to see his ability running the football, not only in the open field but also between the tackles," Brown said. "He had the size you're looking for. He had a 24 ACT score, a 3.8 grade-point average. He already had 12 hours of college credit. Everything you're looking for in a college student-athlete, he had all of it."
Blackman said it was nice to have a breakout game against Sam Houston State.
"I'm ready to do whatever it takes, just like always," Blackman said. "I'll do whatever we need. I'm just going to keep trusting in Coach Brown. He hasn't led me in the wrong direction yet."
Through four games, Blackman has rushed for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns on 75 carries.
"We're putting more emphasis in handing him the football," Brown said. "I think he's one of those backs who gets better the more carries he gets. That's the kind of back he is, and he's going to continue to get better as the season goes on because he can physically do it."
Brown said hard work has been the key to Blackman's progression.
"What I've seen is, he's really put an emphasis on the weight room," Brown said. "You can see it in his quickness. He's a faster kid right now. He's always been a physical style runner, but now he can really make people miss him in the open field, whether it's running through them or making them miss. He's tried to improve his straight-line speed, and you can tell."
"I've started taking the weight room and offseason very seriously," Blackman said. "Offseason sets you up for the season. That's where it starts."
Today’s game
HOUSTON BAPTIST
AT CENTRAL ARKANSAS
WHEN 6 p.m.
WHERE Estes Stadium, Conway
RECORDS Houston Baptist 1-3, 0-2 Southland Conference; Central Arkansas 2-2, 1-1
Sports on 10/06/2018