CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears broke out the pads for the first time on Thursday and made their first visit inside a very hot First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

Even with all that, the Bears had a solid day, according to head coach Clint Conque.

“First day on the stripes and I feel like we got quite a bit done,’ said Conque. “It was probably the hottest day thus far but we pushed the team pretty hard and it was the first full padded practice.

“I thought the players responded and pushed through the elements.’

UCA, which opened camp on Sunday, worked for two and a half hours on Thursday. The Bears went 12 live snaps and installed the two-minute offense at the close of practice.

“I thought the offense ran the ball well, with Jackie Hinton, Terence Bobo and Anthony Blackmon’ he said. “They all ran well, with balance and explosiveness. And (quarterbacks Wynrick) Smothers and (Jacoby) Walker both had terrific days.

“The defense did create several turnovers. Seth Allison, Justin Heard, Radarius Winston, Markeith Gaines and T.J. Randall all had solid days on that side of the ball.’

The Bears, who will finish up summer classes on Friday, have one more practice scheduled under the lights at 7 p.m. Friday before their first scrimmage of the fall at 3:45 Saturday at Estes Stadium.