CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears checked in at Estes Stadium on Friday, readying for the start of 2019 fall camp under the direction of head coach Nathan Brown and his staff.

    Following an afternoon and evening of meetings, paperwork and equipment distribution, the Bears will begin practice at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on "The Stripes" at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

    "We are excited to get the 2019 season kicked off tomorrow morning,' said Brown, in his second season as head coach and his 10th overall on the UCA coaching staff. "We have had a great offseason and I think our guys are hungry and ready to make a run at something special this year.'

    The Bears are coming off an injury riddled 2018 campaign where they finished 6-5 overall and 5-4 in the Southland Conference. But with a solid group of experienced returnees, the Bears impressed enough to be picked second in the SLC preseason poll.

    "We look forward to having a lot of competition happening at many spots early in fall camp,' said Brown. "We have a great group of young players we have brought in and look forward to getting them in practice and watching them compete. Some position battles and spots that I look forward to see happening is on the defensive line, linebacker, and wide receiver.

    "There is some inexperience is some of those spots and we look forward to watching it shake out.'

    The Bears will open with single practices at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and then at 3:30 p.m. from Sunday through Wednesday of next week.

    "Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon will be helmet days so we will put a lot of emphasis on practicing with the right tempo we are looking for and playing with pad level and fundamentals,' said Brown. "Our first padded day will be Monday afternoon.'

    UCA's first partial scrimmage is set for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.