HAMMOND, La. _ The battle for first place in the Southland Conference will take place Saturday at Strawberry Stadium between the University of Central Arkansas Bears and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The unranked Lions (3-4) are in first place with a perfect 3-0 record. The 14th-ranked Bears (6-2) are 4-1 in league play after winning three straight games. The winner will have sole possession of the league lead. UCA has only one SLC game remaining after Saturday _ at home against Northwestern State next Saturday _ while SLU has three conference games left.

The Bears lead the overall series between the teams 4-1, but are just 1-1 in games played in Hammond. UCA won the last meeting a year ago in Conway, forcing the Lions into nine turnovers and running away with a 55-29 victory at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

UCA is coming off a lackluster 24-14 win over Lamar last Saturday, while SLU had an open date last weekend. The Lions are the third conference opponent to enjoy an open date before playing UCA. The Bears won the first two matchups, against McNeese State and Nicholls State.

The Lions are in their first season under former Delta State coach Ron Roberts. Coach Clint Conque is in his 13th season at UCA. His Bears assured themselves of another winning season with last week’s victory over Lamar. UCA has now recorded 10 winning seasons in Conque’s 12 full seasons at UCA.

UCA had its league-high ninth SLC Player of the Week this week when senior punter Kevin Buford was named Special Teams Player of the Week. The Bears have had at least one award winner in eight of the nine weeks of the season, and a pair of winners in two separate weeks.

Follow Saturday’s action between the Bears and Lions at www.ucagameday.com, or live on KUCA 91.3, 103.7 The Buzz and 106.7 The Heartbeat.