Conway, Ark.- The Central Arkansas Bears (2-4, 1-1) will travel to the North Alabama Lions (1-4, 0-1) on Saturday, October 11^th for a United Athletic Conference match up, kickoff is set for 3 P.M. This is the 4^th meeting between the two programs in the Division I era with the Bears winning all 3 of the previous matchups. Last year the Bears won 24-19 in Conway, in 2023 the Bears won 27-14 in Florence, Ala., and in 2022 the Bears rolled 64-29 in Conway. However, the Bears and Lions met 20 times before the Division I era with several of the match ups being played when both programs were in the Gulf South Conference. The Lions hold a 15-5 advantage in those match ups, which took place from 1951 to 2005.
The Bears are coming off a 23-17 win over Utah Tech in UAC action. Caleb Jones earned UAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. Jones scored 11 points for the Bears in the win going 2-2 on PAT attempts and 3-3 on field goal attempts, making from 28, 29 and 33 yards. Running back Landen Chambers is coming off three consecutive games rushing for more than 100 yards. He has touched the ball 88 times over the last three games, accounting for 450 total yards of offense. Quarterback Austin Myers made his first start under center last week and threw for 223 yards on 31 attempts including 1 touchdown. Multiple receivers, led by Malachi Henry, are contributing to the passing game. For the season, Henry has 357 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, Tyrell Pollard has 228 yards with 4 touchdowns, Arlie Lee has 187 yards and a touchdown, and Ty Durham has 184 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Ashtyn Williams and Dillon Williams both have 37 total tackles on the season, 2 of each of their tackles are for a loss, and Ashtyn also has an interception on the season. While Gary Lewis is leading the team in sacks with 3.
The Lions started their UAC slate of games last week at Abilene Christian, the Lions lost the game 52-23. Three quarterbacks have played a significant number of snaps for the Lions this season. DC Tabscott took most of the snaps last week, and has thrown for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. But Ari Patu looks to be getting the start this week, he has thrown for 406 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season. Running back Jayvian Allen, has 4 touchdowns and 304 yards on 52 carries this season. Justin Pegues is leading the team in receiving yards with 253 and 3 touchdowns. Linebacker Demarcious Robinson is leading or is tied for the lead in several defensive statistics for the Lions; total tackles (41), tackles for a loss (6), sacks (2), and interceptions (1).
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, The Bear The Point 94.1 or you can follow live stats online.