Richmond, Ky. - Central Arkansas (4-7, 2-4) scored the final 24 points to rally past Eastern Kentucky (3-8, 2-4) 38-35 on Saturday. It was Central Arkansas's first win in program history at Richmond, Ky. Central Arkansas went 10-for-15 on third down and 3-for-3 on fourth down, finishing with 36:16 of possession. It was the first time all season Central Arkansas won after trailing at halftime.
Central Arkansas was held scoreless in the first quarter, but its final possession reached the Eastern Kentucky 25 before the quarter ended.
Jalen Washington had a 16-yard run on the drive, and
Enoch Assan added a 7-yard rush for another first down. Eastern Kentucky scored twice, Central Arkansas entered the second quarter down 13-0.
Omolo threw two second quarter touchdowns for Central Arkansas, hitting
JT Layton from 3 yards and
Jalen Washington from 34 yards. The Washington score and Charles Viorel's extra point made it 21-14 with 2:39 left, but Eastern Kentucky scored again in the final minute. Central Arkansas went into halftime trailing 28-14.Â
Central Arkansas answered Eastern Kentucky's third-quarter touchdown with an 11-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Omolo's 14-yard touchdown pass to
Dakarai Anderson at 6:54 to make it 35-21. After a muffed punt gave Eastern Kentucky the ball at the Central Arkansas 34,
Kyle Vocque stopped a pass for a loss and
Reid Jones sacked Myles Burkett to force a punt. Central Arkansas took over at its 1 and moved to the Eastern Kentucky 43 by the end of the quarter, with Eastern Kentucky ahead 35-21.
To start the 4th quarter, Omolo hit
Arlie Lee for an 11-yard touchdown before Viorel's extra point tied the game at 35-35 with 4:54 left.
Sir Christian Johnson intercepted a pass on Eastern Kentucky's final drive, and Central Arkansas converted a fourth down and a third down on the final possession to set up Viorel's kick. Eastern Kentucky had negative yards on its last four drives. Charles Viorel made a 27-yard field goal as time expired to give Central Arkansas a 38-35 win over Eastern Kentucky.
Donovyn Omolo
- 15-for-20 passing for 173 yards
- 4 touchdown passes
- 82 rushing yards on 18 carries
Jalen Washington
- 123 rushing yards on 30 carries
- 3 receptions for 52 yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
Dakarai Anderson
- 6 receptions
- 53 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
Ashtyn Williams
- 7 tackles
Tae Bulock
- 6 tackles
- 1 forced fumble
Up next, the Bears will host Austin Peay on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. in Conway, Ark.
