STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (3-3; 0-2) VS. #20 CENTRAL ARKANSAS (4-2; 2-0)
WHEN: Oct. 14, 2023 (Sat.) 4:00 P.M.
WHERE: Conway, Arkansas (Estes Stadium)
TV: ESPN+
Hall of Fame Weekend/Youth Sports Day
SERIES
Central Arkansas leads the series 11-4-0
2022: L 7-34 (Home)
2021: W 27-14 (Away)
2019: L 7-30 (Away)
2018: L 17-27 (Home)
2017: L 20-24 (Away)
2016: L 24-36 (Away)
2015: L 24-36 (Away)
2014: L 39-49 (Home)
2012: W 42-37 (Home)
2011: L 28-38 (Away)
2010: W 30-7 (Home)
2009: W 33-30 (Away)
2008: L 41-49 (Home)
2007: L 23-35 (Away)
2006: L 35-37 (Home)
After an amazing come from behind victory in their last game, the Bears of Central Arkansas find themselves still perfect in conference play, and riding a 3-game win streak, ready now to set their sites on the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin this weekend in Conway.
The Bear's high scoring offense (almost 40 points a game) is marqueed by one of the most talented running backs in the nation, junior speedster #27 ShunDerrick Powell 5-9; 180, the 2022 Walter Payton Finalist and 2X All-American, leads the nation in rushing with 783 yards (9 yards per carry) with 5 TD's. (895 total yards and 6 TD's) Powell earlier this season had back to back 200+ rushing games at North Dakota State, and his season high 256 yards, home against Abilene Christian.
UCA has one of the nation's leading rushing attacks with nearly 250 yards per game, top 5 in first downs and total offense with 477 yards per game.
At QB the Bears have Northern Iowa transfer senior #2 Will McElvain 5-11; 185 who had the game of his career last Saturday, in Conway against SEMO, a game in which UCA found themselves down 30-6 in the 4th quarter, before McElvain took over, leading the team back with neary 400 yards passing and 4 TD's, in the greastest come from behind game in program history.
The defense is lead by All-American junior DB #7 TaMuarion Wilson 6-2; 205 with his team leading 31 tackles (4.5 TFL) 2 INTs, and 7 PD. On the defensive front you have 2022 ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and All-American junior DE #8 David Walker 6-2; 260 who leads the team with 5.5 TFL's and 4 sacks.
Needless to say the Bears, with the exception of the 2021 season, recently have had the Lumberjack's number in football, with a commanding 11-4-0 lead (7 of the last 8) in the series.
After two gut wrenching conference losses, it doesn't look good for SFA in trying to avoid an 0-3 conference start to the season, as they face the conference's best in Conway.
I expect the Lumberjacks will embrace this challenge, circle the wagons, and fight with every fiber this team has, to bring home the victory and stay the course.
It's time to give the Bears a head scratcher
Axe'Em
