TULSA, Okla. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will open a new era Saturday when they take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the 2018 season opener at Chapman Stadium.

    The Bears, the defending Southland Conference champions, will play their first game under new head coach Nathan Brown, who served as UCA's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before taking over the head position in December.

    "Saturday is an important day,' said Brown. "It's an important day for us because we have eight returning starters. And that's a lot of new faces that are going to be running out there representing our program. But that's something we're excited about. We feel like we've developed our positions well and we have a lot of quality depth and talent.

    "Where we may lack experience, we feel like we have talent at those spots to make up for that.'

    The Bears are coming off consecutive 10-win seasons and a perfect 9-0 run through the SLC slate a year ago.

    "Anytime you have a great program like we've had here for years and years,' Brown said, "I've said it all along, tradition never graduates. That's our expectations. It doesn't matter who is out there, the expectations are the same for our program. That's what's being preached every day and our guys are excited to attack that.'

    Brown said Saturday's game against and FBS opponent will be a good measuring stick for his FCS Bears, who open their home season on Sept. 8 vs. Murray State on "The Stripes" at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

    "This game is not going to define us,' he said. "At the end of the day, whether we win, lose or draw, whatever it is, this game is not going to define us. But I can promise you we are going to go try to win this football game. We've got a team that is passionate, that loves football. Going to be a difficult challenge for us, but something that we're excited about.

    "I fully expect us to have a good showing. I anticipate us having some hungry Bears over there to get after those guys.'
    
    Tulsa leads the series with UCA 2-0 after victories in 2008 and 2010. Brown was UCA's starting quarterback in the 2008 matchup in Tulsa, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns. The Golden Hurricane are coming off a tough 2017 season, one in which they won just twice.
    "Tulsa is coming off a two-win season,' said Brown. "They were 2-10 last year playing a very difficult American Conference schedule. When you talk about the American Conference, you're talking Memphis, Houston, South Florida, you're talking about Coach (Charlie) Strong, Coach (Michael) Norvell who both coach in that league. UConn, Temple... it's a very, very difficult conference to play in.

    "With that being said, in 2016 they were a 10-win team. So unless you were a redshirt freshman or sophomore, you've been a part of a 10-win team at that school.'

    The Golden Hurricane are coached by Philip Montgomery, in his fourth season at Tulsa.

    "Very impressed with the way they're coached,' said Brown. "They are a well-coached team that was in a lot of games last year but just got away from them maybe late. They had a big win over the University of Houston, and we all know how good Houston has been the last couple of years. And they also beat a University of Lousiana team that is historically a pretty good team as well.'

    Brown said he is looking forward to watching his team Saturday night because of the players' dedication to the game and each other.

    "One thing I've said all along, you don't have to coach the passion and energy with this team,' said Brown. "And when you have some talent like I think we have, and they've got passion and energy, usually you're going to have a pretty good team. Excited about getting these guys and letting them loose on Saturday.

    "We'll see where we're at. I think we've got a chance to be a really good Southland Conference team, but we have to grow up at some positions really fast. The talent is there but we have to get that experience and see how they're going to do under the lights.'

    Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at H.A. Chapman Stadium. The game will be broadcast on The Point 94.1 and The Bear 91.3 with Justin Acri, Chris Kane and R.J. Hawk, and also on ESPN3 with Trey Bender and Watson Brown.

    UCA hosts it home opener next Saturday against Murray State at 6 p.m. at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.