CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears opened their initial season in the United Athletic Conference (UAC) with a bang Saturday night, rolling to a surprisingly easy 52-17 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.

Led by the running of junior ShunDerrick Powell, the Bears (2-2, 1-0) scored 38 consecutive points to stun the Wildcats (2-2, 0-1), who led 10-7 with 1:35 remaining in the first quarter. Powell finished with a career-high 256 rushing yards, including a 95-yard scoring run and a 14-yard touchdown reception. It was his second consecutive 200-yard effort and sixth of his career, dating to last season at North Alabama.

"We're really excited to get this win," said UCA head coach Nathan Brown. "We prepared really hard for this game, because we knew what was at stake. We knew what kind of team was coming in. We were very precise in our detail this week. And I thought our guys responded today the way you want to.

"We knew if we protected the ball, played clean football, we feel like we have enough playmakers with this group, on offense, defense and special teams, that eventually we're going to score some points and hold people. And that's what we did tonight."  

After ACU, which had played No. 9 UIW within a touchdown last Saturday, drove down and scored on its first possession of the game, UCA answered with a 10-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Will McElvain to sophomore wide receiver Myles Butler to tie it at 7-7 with 6:21 left in the opening quarter. After a 44-yard field goal by the Wildcats, the Bears reeled off the next six scores, capped by Powell's 95-yard scamper down the left sideline that made it a 45-10 lead for the home team.

"What I was proud of, we kick the ball off to them and they take it right down and score, 7-0," said Brown. "Then we take it right back down and answer, 7-7, Then they make it 10-7. So our defense was treading water a little bit there until they figured it out."

"And they figured it out. They (ACU) didn't score again until the fourth quarter. And that's a testament to our defensive coaches and our defensive players. You hold a team to 232 yards of offense and 43 yards rushing, you're going to win most of those games. I don't care if you put up 592 (yards) or not."     

The Bears, who finished with a season-high 594 yards of offense, including 380 on the ground from a combination of four running backs. Powell averaged 11.1 yards per carry and junior Kylin James averaged 12.2 yards, rushing six times for 73 yards and a touchdown. 

"We knew if we could just get a sliver or get the edge, that we could get out on one," said Brown. "That's what makes ShunDerrick so good, he's got home-run speed. He's a little guy but he runs with power. And when he gets on that edge, it's hard to get him down."  

UCA got a career-long 44-yard field goal from junior placekicker Jake Gaster and touchdowns from junior running back Darius Hale (1 yard), senior wide receiver Jarrod Barnes (2 yards) on a pass from McElvain, and linebacker Jake Golday on a fumble recovery in the end zone following a Deorious Cobbs sack.

The Bears' defense held the Wildcats to 232 yards of total offense, after entering the game averaging 402 yards per outing. ACU quarterback Maverick McIvor, a transfer from Texas Tech, was held to 125 yards passing, going 12 for 21. The WIldcats punted on seven straight possessions after taking their 10-7 lead. The Wildcats had just 118 total yards over the final three quarters.

"Huge win, to be 1-0 in the conference," said Brown. "There is a lot of parity in the conference, I don't think there's any question. So when you get a chance to protect your home field, in a conference game, you have to do it. And we did it in great fashion tonight."  

UCA hits the road again next Saturday for its first trip to Utah to take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Game time is 7 p.m. (CST).