CONWAY -- Football teams like the University of Central Arkansas and its All-Southland Conference junior defensive end Chris Terrell rarely seem satisfied midway through seasons, but this group sounds perfectly content with their current standing.
UCA (4-2, 3-1 Southland Conference) is currently in a three-way tie for second place along with Incarnate Word and Sam Houston State. The Bears play at Southland-leading McNeese State next Saturday.
UCA's only loss in conference play came Sept. 29 at Sam Houston in overtime.
"We're in a good spot," UCA Coach Nathan Brown said. "We have one loss to an FCS team, and it was in overtime on the road. I'm pleased with where we're at. I think our players are playing hard and playing as if they expect to win each week."
"We'd like to have beat Sam Houston," Terrell said. "We came up a little short, but I honestly feel like we're getting better each week. ... If we just go step by step, we'll be fine."
Terrell helped lead UCA to its 27-17 victory at Stephen F. Austin last week with 4.5 tackles for losses totaling 48 yards. He had 2.5 sacks against the Lumberjacks to put his season total at 4.5. For the season, he has nine tackles for loss, fifth most in the Southland.
His next chance to shine comes today when the Bears host Northwestern (La.) State at Estes Stadium in Conway. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Terrell was recruited by former UCA Coach Steve Campbell, who left after last season to become the head coach at FBS South Alabama. Campbell and Terrell graduated from the same high school, J.M. Tate in Cantonment, Fla. Terrell said his hometown ties with Campbell helped him choose UCA over Southern Mississippi when he signed his national letter of intent before the 2015 season.
"I thought UCA was a better opportunity for me," Terrell said. "I thought it was a better place for me to spend my four years. I just put my trust in Coach Campbell and followed him to UCA."
Terrell redshirted his first season, but Brown said he could have played immediately. Brown was UCA's offensive coordinator at the time.
"I watched him on the defensive scout team that entire year, and I could just tell he was going to be a special player," Brown said. "He played just as hard on those scout teams as he does now."
Terrell played in every game as a redshirt freshman in 2016. By the start of the 2017 season, Terrell's star status was a given. He led the Southland with 20 tackles for loss and was second in sacks with 11.
"He's probably one of the most well-rounded, total-package defensive linemen we've ever had here," Brown said. "He gives tons of quarterback pressure, but he plays the run as good as he does the pass. With his sack numbers and tackles for loss, that just shows you that he is the total package."
Before this season started, Brown said he knew what UCA had on its defensive line and linebacking corps, and with its offensive backfield and receivers. He was concerned by the Bears' loss of experience from the offensive line and defensive backfield, but he said this week that concern has waned.
"Our offensive line is getting better every week," Brown said. "We've got some young guys who are very talented, and they're really starting to play really good, and then our defensive backfield, to me, I couldn't be more pleased."
Terrell said he, like his teammates, always looks for ways to improve.
"We all need to keep improving on the little things," Terrell said. "If we just keep focusing on the details, we can all get better."
Sports on 10/20/2018