The UCA football team (4-2, 3-1 SLC) defeated the Stephen F. Austin University Lumberjacks (1-5, 1-4 SLC) 27-17 for its third conference win of the season.
Junior running back Carlos Blackman scored first for the Bears on a 2-yard rushing touchdown, putting UCA up 7-0.
SFA tied the game with an 85-yard passing touchdown to senior receiver Terian Goree.
UCA scored again in the second quarter with a 19-yard field goal from senior kicker Matt Cummins to go into the halftime break up 10-7.
The Lumberjacks put points on the scoreboard first in the second half with a 48-yard field goal from kicker Storm Ruiz. This drive went for six plays, and 66 yards, lasting two minutes and 33 seconds.
The Bears struck back in just three plays with a 31-yard rushing touchdown by Blackman, giving UCA a 17-10 lead over the Lumberjacks and earning Blackman his second touchdown of the night.
The Bears’ defense forced the SFA offense to punt on fourth down, which set the Bears up for a 13-yard passing touchdown from freshman quarterback Luke Hales to senior receiver Lester Wells. This scoring drive lasted four minutes and 26 seconds and went for 72 yards.
The Bears went into the fourth quarter with a 24-10 lead.
Cummins added on 3 more points to the Bears’ lead on a 34-yard field goal kick. This ended an eight play, 60-yard drive.
UCA closed out the game on an interception by junior defensive back Trai Mosley.
Senior receiver Jakari Dillard said the intensity came from the defensive side of the ball most of the night.
“The defense really held up its end all night. They brought the intensity,” Dillard said.
Despite putting 27 points on the board, Dillard thinks the offense could have done more.
“I think our offensive side could have drove the ball down the field more.”
Sophomore running back D’erek Fernandez said the team holds themselves up to high expectations every week.
“For our team, Coach [Brown] sets the bar high for us, and has built our culture around winning,” Fernandez said. “Therefore, our expectations are nothing less than winning each and every week. We also know that we can’t look too far ahead so we focus on one week at a time and attack each game with a winning mindset.”
Fernandez said the team is looking forward to finishing the season strong and on top of the conference.
UCA moved to second in the Southland Conference with the win over SFA.
