CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears are one victory away from sealing a winning season, with the Lamar Cardinals coming to town on Saturday night.
The No. 17/19 Bears (5-2, 3-1) are a half-game behind Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference standings with three league games remaining. But head coach Clint Conque is more occupied with winning the next game to give the Bears their 31st winning season in the last 36 years, dating back to 1976.
“That is one of our main goals each and every year, to have a winning season for our seniors,’ said Conque, who has been responsible for nine of those in his 12 seasons at UCA, including an 11-3 season in 2003 and a 10-2 mark in 2008. “We have a chance to assure that this group of seniors can go out as winners, starting this Saturday.’
The Bears had another dramatic fourth-quarter rally last Saturday to beat another ranked team. UCA came back from a pair of two-score deficits in the final 10:16 to knock off the 15th ranked McNeese State Cowboys in Lake Charles, La. Earlier this season, UCA scored twice in the final 3:18 to beat then-No. 3 Sam Houston State, the FCS national runnerup last season.
“The sign of a pretty good team is when you have to do something under pressure,' Conque said. “We’ve done it twice now under pressure. There’s no doubt what happened against Sam Houston had to help. There was no panic among any player or coach in those last minutes (at McNeese).’
The Bears and Cardinals have only met once in football, with UCA winning 38-24 last year in Beaumont, Texas. In that game, UCA overcame an early 14-0 deficit by outscoring Lamar 38-10 in the final three quarters. Safety Jestin Love sealed it with an interception returned 31 yards for a touchdown with 2:07 left to play.
The Bears enter this week’s game with the second-ranked passing offense in the Southland, averaging 262.3 yards per game through the air. Lamar counters with the top pass defense, allowing just 176.3 passing yards. McMurry, a 52-21 loser at Lamar last week, threw 62 times for 317 yards and one touchdown.
“They are loaded with quality athletes at Lamar,’ said Conque. “We were fortunate to get out of Beaumont last year with a win and it will take a great week of preparation and playing 60 minutes again this week at home to notch that sixth victory.’
UCA has three games, counting Lamar, remaining in SLC play. The Bears then have an open date (Nov. 10) before hosting Eastern Illinois in non-conference action on the last playing date of the regular season (Nov. 17).
No. 17 Central Arkansas vs. Lamar
First Security Field at Estes Stadium
Conway, Arkansas
Saturday, October 20, 2012
6 p.m.
2012 Family Day
Central Arkansas Game Notes
Lamar Game Notes
Broadcast Info:
Video Stream
Heartbeat 106.7 (iPhone & Android apps available for free download)
91.3 FM The Bear
Live Stats
Times To Know:
12 p.m. –Tailgating opens
(Tailgating Map & Info)
2 p.m. – Ticket booths open
2 p.m. –
Family Day festivities begin
2 p.m. – Campus bookstore in Student Center opens. Will remain open until approximately 30-60 minutes before kickoff.
3 p.m. – Bruce Street closed to vehicles
3 p.m. – Suites open
4:30 p.m. – Stadium gates open
6 p.m. – Kickoff
