CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will be on a big stage Saturday afternoon, for two reasons.
The Bears (3-3, 2-1) host an important Southland Conference game against perennial league power McNeese State (3-2, 2-0) in the fourth annual “Red Beans and Rice Bowl” at 3:05 p.m. at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.
The second aspect that lends an even greater excitement to the matchup is the game will be televised on the Southland Television Network. It will be the first televised game on the Bears’ new purple and gray turf, the first chance for fans around the region to get a glimpse of the only multicolor playing surface in the country.
“This is a big game for a lot of reasons,’ said UCA head coach Clint Conque, who’s team is 2-0 against McNeese in games played in Conway since joining the conference. “Both teams are trying to position themselves for a run at a conference championship. Both teams were picked in the Top 3 in the league in the preseason polls.
“And the game is on regional television, which always makes everything about it a little more exciting, for the players, the coaches and the fans. The weather is going to be nice, there will be tailgating all over the place. It should be a great afternoon of college football.’
The Bears have won two straight conference games after dropping their opener at Sam Houston State. UCA is coming off a 37-31 road win over Nicholls State last week. McNeese lost at home last Saturday 21-14 to Texas State, which does not count in the standings this year as it transitions to Division I FBS.
UCA features one of the league’s top offenses, ranked No. 3 in passing and No. 4 in scoring, while McNeese has the No. 1 passing defense and the third-rated total defense in the SLC.
UCA senior quarterback Nathan Dick, despite missing a game and a half with a concussion, is No. 2 in the SLC in passing (266.0) and total offense (271.0) and has thrown for 1,330 yards in five games. Dick passed for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns last week against Nicholls, and added a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
McNeese had two running backs, Andre Anderson and Marcus Wiltz, in the Top 10 in the league in rushing. The Cowboys have league victories over Southeastern Louisiana (48-27) and Northwestern State (20-18).
UCA’s 1991 NAIA national championship team will be recognized at halftime on the 20th anniversary of the title. The 1991 Bears beat Central State (Ohio) 19-16 in the championship game to win their third national title in eight years.
