Central Arkansas Bears
Southland
The Bears of Central Arkansas opened the 2012 season taking a 20-14 lead into halftime in their opening game at SEC Ole Miss before the Rebels overtook them in the second half. The Bears then began what was a tougher non-conference schedule than most teams play within the FCS against two explosive Ohio Valley teams. The Bears beat Murray State 42-20 to jump start their season and cruised past Bacone College next. In its fourth game Central Arkansas shocked Sam Houston State when Wynrick Smothers tossed two touchdown passes in the final three minutes to rally back and steal a win from the Bearkats. The comeback against SHSU proved to be even more important when the Bears lost to Stephen F. Austin the following week. The Bears then won their final five conference games to claim the conference title and Southland automatic playoff bid. In the final weekend UCA faced Eastern Illinois in one of the most entertaining games of the weekend with two top teams already locked into the playoffs. With the thrilling win, the Bears enter the playoffs on a roll having just beaten a very quality opponent much like they will face throughout the playoffs.
2012 Record: 9-2, 6-1
Coach: Clint Conque
Big Wins: 9/8 at Murray State (42-20), 9/22 Sam Houston State (24-20)
Bad Losses: 9/1 at Mississippi (27-49), 9/29 at Stephen F. Austin (37-42)
Strengths:
Central Arkansas has a very balanced run game with three players with three or more rushing touchdowns. But the Bears work around the passing of quarterback Wynrick Smothers, who has 31 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Smothers’ leading targets are Dezmin Lewis, Dominique Croom and Jesse Grandy, who all have over 50 catches and at least six touchdowns. If the Bears get close on fourth down they may go for it. UCA is 15 for 17 on fourth down attempts this season.
Weaknesses:
Central Arkansas is a very balanced and sturdy FCS team that certainly can go deep in the playoffs. The only uncertainty is how they will play on the road. The Bears don’t usually get rattled but when they do it’s away from their purple and grey striped field where UCA has yet to lose. Still, based on the brackets, the Bears may not need many road trips before a possible trip to Frisco.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Jackie Hinton, RB, 566 yards
Passing: Wynrick Smothers, QB, 2,852 yards
Receiving: Jesse Grandy, WR, 744 yards
Tackles: Justin Heard, LB, 87
Sacks: Jonathan Woodard, DE, 7.0
Interceptions: Seth Allison, LB, 2; Josh Jones, CB, 2; Dillion Winfrey, CB, 2; Radarius Winston, CB, 2
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 134.70 (78th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 260.30 (23, 2)
Total Offense: 395.00 (45, 4)
Scoring Offense: 35.40 (12, 2)
Rushing Defense: 144.70 (46, 4)
Pass Defense: 232.70 (81, 6)
Total Defense: 377.40 (64, 5)
Scoring Defense: 21.60 (31, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.60 (21, 2)
Sacks: 2.70 (19, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.80 (51, 5)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2011 First Round Defeated Tennessee Tech
2011 Second Round Lost to Montana
*all team stats through 11/10
