CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rallied from a 25-point deficit Saturday night at Estes Stadium but fell just short in a 35-29 loss to the Samford Bulldogs at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

    The Bears (1-1, 1-0) scored three straight touchdowns in the final 12:24 and had the ball one final time with 28 seconds remaining but could not convert the fourth time in dropping their second consecutive game to the Bulldogs (2-0) in as many seasons. 

    UCA outgained Samford by a huge margin, finishing with 577 total yards compared to 257 for the Bulldogs. The Bears ran a school-record 115 offensive plays, breaking the record set last year (103) against Samford. However, three costly turnovers hurt the Bears, as did 10 penalties for 79 yards. UCA's defense did its part, holding the Bulldogs to negative 25 yards on the ground and got an interception from senior safety Brandon Porter.
  
    The Bears took an early 3-0 lead on sophomore Matt Cummins' 35-yard field goal midway through the first quarter. Samford got a 29-yard touchdown pass from Devlin Hodges to Karel Hamilton with 2:41 left in the period, good for a 7-3 lead. UCA freshman Carlos Blackman scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run to return the lead to the Bears at 10-7 at the 7:48 mark of the second quarter.

    But the Bulldogs seized the momentum with three touchdowns in the final 4:39 of the first half _ including a 28-yard fumble return by Ahmad Gooden _ to grab a 28-10 halftime lead. UCA ran 51 plays for 259 yards in the opening half and held Samford's offense to minus 27 rushing yards. 

    The Bulldogs' defense struck again late in the third quarter when Osaigbovo Tonne returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown to push Samford's lead to 35-10. UCA's offense then started clicking and scored on consecutive possessions, both short touchdown runs by senior running back Antwon Wells. UCA turned it over on downs on its next attempt but then got an 18-touchdown pass from junior Hayden Hildebrand to senior Desmond Smith with 2:11 remaining.  Cummins' point after kick made it a 35-29 deficit.

    UCA's defense came through again, forcing a 34-yard punt that gave the Bears one last chance, starting on their own 15. Hildebrand threw complete to junior Darrien Daniels for 10 yards out to the 25. Two incomplete passes, a delay of game and another incompletion set up one final play for the Bears, but Hildebrand was flushed from the pocket and misfired on a desperation heave as time expired.



    Jatavious Wilson, a senior from Bastrop, La., caught a team-high nine passes for 134 yards, while Smith, a senior from Bentonville, Ark., hauled in six for 133 yards and a touchdown. Blackman led all rushers with 28 carries for a career-high 123 yards and a touchdown. Hildebrand compled 26 of 48 passes for a career-high 346 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. 

    Senior linebacker Garrett Sharp topped UCA's tackle chart with six stops, including a tackle for loss. Senior defensive tackle Jordan Toliver had five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, while senior noseguard Terrence Partee added 5 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

    For Samford, Hodges was 23 of 35 for 282 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. Kelvin McKnight caught 7 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linebacker Shaheed Salmon had 18 tackles, while Marquis McCullum and Deion Pierre added 11 each.

    UCA returns to Southland Conference play next Saturday, hosting the Northwestern State Demons (0-2, 0-1) at 6 p.m. at Estes Stadium.