THIBODAUX, La. _ It's safe to say the University of Central Arkansas Bears remember their 2008 trip to Thibodaux, La., to take on the Nicholls State Colonels.

  The Bears finished first in the Southland Conference that season, winning six of seven league games. The lone loss was to the Colonels at Guidry Stadium.

  "All you have to do is look back three years ago and remember what happened that year,' said UCA head coach Clint Conque. "Nicholls was the only team to beat us that year and we finished 6-1 in the Southland.

  "We have to go out Saturday and play our best game and try to keep that from happening again.'

  The Bears are 2-3 overall and 1-1 in SLC play after a road loss to Sam Houston State three weeks ago and a solid victory over two-time defending champion Stephen F. Austin last Saturday at First Security Field at Estes Stadium. UCA probably needs to win out to guarantee a postseason berth.

  "We need to take care of our business the rest of the way,' said Conque, who played at NIcholls and is in the school's Hall of Fame. "We can't make any mistakes, and that starts this weekend.'

   The Bears are as healthy as they have been in several weeks after senior quarterback Nathan Dick and senior linebacker Frank Newsome both returned to the UCA lineup last week.

   Dick is No. 2 in the SLC in passing (256.0) and total offense (253.5).

   UCA had two of the three SLC Players of the Week this week, with junior linebacker Seth Allison winning the Defensive Player of the Week and senior Isaiah Jackson taking the Special Teams Player award. Allison, UCA's leading tackler this season with 42 tackles, opened the 2010 game against Nicholls with a 10-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the game's first play.

   Sophomore safety Jestin Love, then a freshman, intercepted two passes, grabbing one in the end zone and returning the other 98 yards for a touchdown.

  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday. Go to www.ucagameday.com for coverage options.