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CONWAY, Ark. _ The first home game of the season for the University of Central Arkansas Bears has a little more meaning this year as it is the United Athletic Conference (UAC) opener as well.

The seventh-ranked Bears (1-1) host the Austin Peay Governors (0-2) at 6 p.m. Saturday on "The Stripes," the first of eight UAC games over the next three months. 

The Bears have beaten the Governors four out of five times in the series, but the lone loss came in the regular-season finale a year ago in Clarksville, Tenn. APSU won a defensive slugfest 14-12 to take the outright UAC championship and knock the Bears out of the FCS Playoffs.

The Bears and Governors combined for just 495 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a game dominated by the defensive units. 

By contrast, this season the Bears are averaging 493 yards of total offense through two games, including 554 yards in last Saturday's 34-13 win over Lindenwood on the road in St. Charles, Mo. The Governors have been less productive against a tough early season schedule, averaging just 225.5 yards per game against FBS Louisville and FCS Top 10 Southern Illinois.

UCA's offense is led by the running back tandem of seniors ShunDerrick Powell and Darius Hale. Powell is second in the nation in rushing (151 yards per game), third in yards per rush (9.9) and fifth in total rushing yards (302). Hale pushed his rushing touchdown total to 34 with a pair of scores against Lindenwood last week. 

The duo has combined for 5,506 career rushing yards and 58 rushing touchdowns.

Defensively, the Bears are allowing only 361.5 yards and 23.5 points per game against FBS Arkansas State and Lindenwood. UCA held the Lions to just 76 yards on the ground, including seven sacks for minus 32 yards. The Bears rank second in the nation in sacks per game (5.0), while senior David Walker is tied for second in the nation with 4.5 sacks.

APSU lost 62-0 to Louisville on the road and 31-17 to Southern Illinois at home. The Governors have a new coaching staff and 61 newcomers on the 2024 roster, with just two returning starters from last year's 9-3 team that lost to Chattanooga in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. 

The Bears are back on the road next week taking on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions at 6 p.m. Saturday in Pine Bluff, Ark.