MURRAY, Ky. _  The University of Central Arkansas Bears and the Murray State Racers will probably be glad to see each other when they meet at Roy Stewart Stadium on Saturday night.

Considering the teams they faced last week in their season openers, both squads will surely feel more comfortable playing a fellow NCAA FCS team this time out.

UCA, from the Southland Conference, played its first-ever Southeastern Conference team in Ole Miss, and led the Rebels 20-14 at halftime before running out of gas in the second half and losing 49-27. The Racers, charter members of the Ohio Valley Conference, went to Tallahassee to face No. 6 Florida State and came away with a 69-3 loss.

The Bears managed 347 yards of total offense and 18 first downs against the Rebels a week ago. Junior quarterback Wynrick Smothers, making just his second career start, completed 25 of 32 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Dezmin Lewis and junior Al Lasker had touchdown receptions, while senior running back Terence Bobo and sophomore quarterback Jacoby Walker had rushing scores.

The Racers were not as productive against the highly ranked Seminoles, with just nine first downs and 156 yards of total offense. Murray State averaged just 2.2 yards per play against FSU.

The Bears will be playing without linebacker Zach Bush, who injured his shoulder against Ole Miss. Linebacker Rojae Jackson, the Bears’ leading tackler last week and the SLC Defensive Player of the Week, also injured his shoulder but is expected to play.

   UCA won the last meeting 21-20 in 2010 in Conway, taking the lead on a Jackie Hinton 22-yard run with 4:21 remaining and then blocking a Murray State field goal attempt in the final minute.

UCA closes out its two-game road trip Saturday before its home opener next week against Bacone College for the dedication of the 12 skyboxes at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

Coverage of the Murray State game can be found at www.ucagameday.com. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.