CONWAY, Ark.- Central Arkansas (2-6, 0-3) lost to UTRGV (4-4, 2-3) 30-27 in overtime on Saturday. It was the Bears' first overtime game since the 2018 season. Central Arkansas tied the game at 24 with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but the late push was not enough.
Central Arkansas generated sustained offense on the ground, rushing 49 times for 233 yards while holding the ball for 32:09 and going 9-for-17 on third down. UTRGV finished with 418 total yards, including 241 passing, and scored on four of five red-zone trips while Central Arkansas scored on three of five.
Central Arkansas answered UTRGV's first touchdown with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, tying the game 7-7 on
Enoch Assan's 27-yard run and
Caleb Jones' extra point with 2:28 left in the first quarter.
Donovyn Omolo helped extend the series with a 14-yard run on third-and-7, and Central Arkansas finished the quarter with 134 yards and six first downs. UTRGV had the ball at the Central Arkansas 40 when the quarter ended tied 7-7.
Central Arkansas came up with a goal-line stand early in the second quarter, with UTRGV ultimately missing a 23-yard field goal after reaching the 1. Omolo then directed an 80-yard touchdown drive and hit
Arlie Lee for a 24-yard score at 7:50, with
Caleb Jones' PAT making it 14-7. UTRGV later answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass and extra point, and the quarter ended tied at 14-14.
Central Arkansas answered after UTRGV moved ahead 21-14, with
Tae Bulock intercepting a pass at the UTRGV 38 and returning it to the 30. Omolo followed with a 12-yard run and later scored on a 13-yard carry, and
Caleb Jones' PAT tied the score at 21-21. Central Arkansas held UTRGV scoreless the rest of the quarter, with Deorius Cobbs recording a sack on the final play as the quarter ended tied 21-21.
Caleb Jones hit a 37-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to pull Central Arkansas even at 24-24 after UTRGV had gone ahead on a 24-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining. Central Arkansas moved 55 yards in 1:33 on the tying drive, with Omolo completions to
Triston Edwards and
Dakarai Anderson helping push the offense into range. The quarter ended tied 24-24.
Central Arkansas reached the UTRGV 6 in overtime but settled for
Caleb Jones' 23-yard field goal, moving ahead 27-24 after a seven-play, 19-yard possession. Earlier in the drive, Omolo converted third-and-5 with a 6-yard rush as Central Arkansas kept the ball on the ground. UTRGV answered with Broderick Taylor's 25-yard touchdown run on its first overtime snap, ending the game.
Donovyn Omolo
- 16 of 28 for 179 yards passing
- Threw 1 touchdown pass
- 76 rushing yards on 19 carries
- 1 rushing touchdown
Dakarai Anderson
- 7 receptions
- 96 receiving yards
Jalen Washington
- 79 rushing yards on 20 carries
- 1 reception
Enoch Assan
- 72 rushing yards on 8 carries
- 1 rushing touchdown
Tae Bulock
- 10 total tackles
- 1 interception
Central Arkansas hosts University of North Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 4 p.m. in Conway, Arkansas for Homecoming.
