BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  _ Season No. 2 under head coach Steve Campbell begins Thursday night for the University of Central Arkansas Bears against an unfamiliar opponent but a familiar opposing coach. 

    UCA takes on the Samford Bulldogs at 6 p.m. at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs are coached by former Valdosta State and Murray State head coach Chris Hatcher, both teams that the Bears faced over the past decade. UCA never beat a Hatcher-coached team at VSU while in the Gulf South Conference, but knocked off Murray State twice, 21-20 in Conway in 2010 and 42-20 in 2012 in Murray, Ky. Hatcher will be coaching his first game at MSU on Thursday.

    The game looks to be a battle of UCA's offense versus MSU's defense. The Bears were fourth in the nation in scoring at the FCS level last season, averaging more than 40 points per game while amassing a 6-6 overall record and a 5-3 mark and third-place finish in the Southland Conference. The Bulldogs' relied on a defense that gave up just 19.7 points per game in going 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Southern Conference. 

    "We were fourth in the nation in points per game last season,' said Campbell. "We need to stay there, we have to be able to score points. Defensively, we were really young last year. If we can cut the points we allow and still keep our offense production at a high level and not put our defense in bad situations with turnovers, which we did a lot... If we do that, we'll have a chance to make another step forward.'

    That first step, and the first three for that matter, will all take place on the road. The Bears, who have three road games and an open date to open the season, will  not play at home on "The Stripes" at First Security Field at Estes Stadium until Oct. 3 when they host Abilene Christian. Campbell said a large (25) group of seniors should help overcome that tough early season schedule, which includes a trip to FBS Oklahoma State next week and the SLC opener against Northwestern State on Sept. 26.

    "We have an outstanding senior class,' he said. "There's a lot of talent in that group, a lot of leadership in that group. You have guys that have been around the block, and that helps. Especially the way our schedule sets up, with us being into week four or five before we play at home. It helps to have some experience and some older guys. A guy like Jonnathan Woodard, who has done it on the field for three years. And three years of Kyle Stouffer, who has started a lot of ballgames at UCA. 

    "We have five seniors in the offensive line. Taylor (Reed) at quarterback. We have linebackers Ricky Wyatt and D.J. Holland, and Dillion Winfrey and Bobby Watkins in the secondary. I feel really good about this bunch of seniors.'

    Campbell said he feels a lot more confident going into the season opener this season, his second, than he did a year ago.

    "We were able to keep 90 percent of our coaching staff intact, which at this level is always a good thing,' said Campbell. "That lends it self to a lot more familiarity and overall knowledge of the scheme and what we're trying accomplish. And the players are a lot more comfortable this year, they know what we expect of them. 

    "We're a lot further along than a year ago, as far as the players knowing what we want out of them. And also, us knowing what each player can do. What are their talents and what is the best way to utilize them.'

    It all starts Thursday against a Samford team picked second and third in the SoCon preseason polls. The Bulldogs had nine players named to the preseason All-SoCon teams, including the preseason Defensive Player of the Year in tackle Michael Pierce.  UCA counters with the reigning SLC Defensive Player of the Year Jonathan Woodard, a senior defensive end from Brentwood, Tenn.

    The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 as well as on the radio on The Point 94.1 (audio stream HERE) and KUCA 91.3.