Oklahoma State Football: Previewing Central Arkansas

Aug 30, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Central Arkansas Bears quarterback Taylor Reed (15) passes against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Meet the Bears

The University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, Arkansas, and has had a functioning football program since 1901. The team’s all time record is 528-363-42, which includes three NAIA titles won during a seven year period that began in 1984. The Bears moved up to the NCAA Division II in 1993, winning conference titles in 2005, 2008, and 2012. They are currently a member of the Southland Conference. UCA has appeared in two FCS playoffs, most recently 2012, where they lost 24-16 to Georgia Southern, who is now an FBS team. Some notable players who spent time in Conway as Bears include current offensive coordinator and former quarterback Nathan Brown, current Texas head coach Charlie Strong, and some basketball player named Scottie Pippen.

Aug 30, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Central Arkansas Bears head coach Steve Campbell shouts instructions in the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Central Arkansas is led by second-year head coach Steve Campbell, who compiled a 6-6 record in 2014. Campbell is a former collegiate offensive lineman who began his coaching career at Auburn in 1988 as a graduate assistant, and most recently was the head coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College, where he coached for nine seasons, winning a national title in 2007. Prior to his time at MGCJC, Campbell made stops at Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee, and Delta State, where he won the 2000 NCAA Division II National Title, along with Coach of the Year honors.

The Bears’ 2014 season began with a close 35-42 loss in Lubbock against Texas Tech in a game that saw UCA accumulate 406 yards of offense, but give up 636 yards to a Davis Webb-led Red Raider attack.

UCA began this season with a 45-16 loss at Samford. The Bears were tied with the Bulldogs 7-7 heading into the 2nd quarter, but gave up 21 points before halftime, and never fully recovered. Central Arkansas managed a 13-minute advantage in possession time, and five more first downs than Samford, but couldn’t turn it into points. UCA also coughed up the football twice on fumbles, had 12 penalties that totaled 183 yards, and gave up 536 total yards the Bulldogs. Not exactly a good start to 2015.

Next: UCA Offense