CONWAY -- Significant halftime leads let coaches think ahead.
The University of Central Arkansas led by 18 points after the first half and by 25 after its first possession of the third quarter in what would become a 38-17 victory over Northwestern (La.) State on Saturday night, a result that allowed players to join their coaches in thoughts of its next game.
UCA began the day in a three-way tie for second place in the Southland Conference with Incarnate Word and Sam Houston State, but it left Estes Stadium in a three-way tie for first place. Incarnate Word's 45-17 victory over then-conference-leading McNeese State left those two teams tied for first with UCA, which plays at McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., on Saturday.
"Every week we try to put our best foot forward," UCA junior safety Juan Jackson said. "Next week, it'll be the same thing against McNeese. We'll try to play our best game yet."
"We know we have a tough test next week, but our guys have done a great job of keeping tunnel vision," UCA Coach Nathan Brown said. "They're worried about one game, and they're doing a great job of that, but this game gave us an opportunity to rest some guys."
UCA (5-2, 4-1 Southland Conference) took command early in the game, but Northwestern State answered late in the first half to keep interest alive.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Luke Hales passed for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns, including 4 in the first half, the first for 31 yards to senior receiver Jakari Dillard that gave UCA a 7-0 lead less than two minutes after the opening kickoff.
"We're just trying to take what the defense gives us," Brown said. "They loaded the box early in the game to try to take the run away, and Luke made some good throws, and I think our wide receivers made some big plays."
After a 53-yard touchdown pass from Hales to senior slot receiver Lester Wells, UCA stopped Northwestern State (2-5, 1-4) near midfield and took over after a 40-yard punt at its 3.
Four plays later, which included a 38-yard pass from Hales to Dillard and a 48-yard run by junior running back Carlos Blackman, UCA led 21-0 after a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hales to redshirt freshman Lujuan Winningham with 13:41 left in the second quarter.
Hales was intercepted at the UCA 20 by junior safety Ryan Reed, a turnover that resulted in a 35-yard field goal by Northwestern State redshirt sophomore Austyn Fendrick.
Late in the second quarter, a fumbled exchange between Hales and Crossley gave the Demons possession at the UCA 7. One play and six seconds later, sophomore quarterback Kaleb Fletcher scored on a keeper to put Northwestern State within 28-10 with 1:01 left in the second quarter.
Hales said pressure complicated his exchange with Crossley and that he should have kept the ball and taken a loss on the play.
"They got in there and got a hand in there, but we have to protect the ball better," Hales said.
UCA held the Demons to 264 yards of total offense while gaining 500.
"Our defense played a heck of a game tonight," Hales said. "If not for my fumbling, our defense held them to 10 points. It was definitely a defensive win. I'm proud of those guys."
UCA responded on its first possession of the second half with a four-play drive completed by Hales' 25-yard touchdown pass on a screen play to Blackman with 9:59 left in the third quarter. The five-play, 58-yard drive included a 16-yard run by Blackman and a 17-yard pass from Hales to Wells.
Hales, in his third start, matched his touchdown pass total from his first start when he threw for 304 yards and 5 touchdowns against Houston Baptist on Oct. 6.
Hales passing total was balanced by a UCA rushing attack that gained 222 yards. Blackman led the way with 84 yards on 14 carries. Sophomore D'erek Fernandez rushed for 62 yards on 11 carries and sophomore Kierre Crossley rushed for 58 on 12.
"We had a good day," Blackman said. "We didn't get the ball in the end zone but props to our receivers for catching the ball and doing their job."
Dillard led UCA's receivers with 4 catches for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Senior Matt Cummins' 34-yard field goal gave UCA a 38-10 lead with 6:57 left in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern State scored in the final minute on a 53-yard touchdown pass from Fletcher to senior receiver Jaylen Watson.
"I have to do a better job of getting our guys prepared," Northwestern State Coach Brad Laird said. "I have to have them ready to play 60 minutes."
Sports on 10/21/2018