CONWAY, Ark. -- As season 2.0 for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football gets set to kickoff, we will preview each of the nine league members as we countdown to the opening of the 2024 campaign and the "Chase for the Crown". Central Arkansas just missed out on the conference title last year and brings back some of the league's top players for this season's quest.

NOTEWORTHY
* The Bears, ranked nationally No. 11 (Stats Perform) & No. 13 (AFCA) to open the year, were the preseason choice by the league coaches to claim the 2024 championship after posting a final 7-4 record last season and finishing in a four-way tie for second with a 4-2 mark in UAC play... UCA's two conference losses were both decided by two points

* Head Coach NATHAN BROWN begins his fifth season at the helm of his alma mater, carrying a 25-19 all-time coaching record...  Brown was a record-setting, Hall of Fame performing quarterback during his playing days for the Bears 

* Central Arkansas boasts one of the most dynamic duos at running back in the nation featuring a pair of 2,000+ yard performers in ShunDerrick Powell (2,761 yards/ 24 TDs) and Darius Hale (2,441 yards/ 31 TDs)... The Bear defense is bolstered by a pair of Buck Buchanan Award watch list selections in David Walker (DL) and TaMuarion Wilson (DB)

* Overall, UCA collected six preseason All-UAC honorees as Powell was joined by Will McElvain (QB) and Will Diggins (OL) on the offensive side along with linebacker Demetrias Charles teamming up with Walker and Wilson on defense... The final game of the regular season pits the Bears against the league's preseason second-place squad, Tarleton State, in Texas

CENTRAL ARKANSAS QUICK FACTS
2023 Record: 7-4 (4-2 UAC / T2nd)
Program Best FCS Record: 10-2, 2x (2008, 2017) 
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances: 4 (Last: 2017)
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Career Record: 25-19 (5th Season)

KEY RETURNERS
- SHUNDERRICK POWELL (RB, SR) - Named to Watchlist of the Walter Payton Award, finished last season with 1,009 yards rushing and the nation's second-best yards per carry average of 7.4... Averaged 92.4 yards per game and finished with six rushing touchdowns
- DAVID WALKER (DL, SR) - UAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, recorded 57 tackles including 33 solo stops... Led the league with 18 TFLs and notched 8.5 sacks 

2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 | @Arkansas State
Sept. 7 | @Lindenwood
Sept. 14 | Austin Peay*
Sept. 21 | @UAPB
Sept. 28 | Lamar
Oct. 5 | @Abilene Christian*
Oct. 12 | West Georgia*
Oct. 26 | North Alabama*
Nov. 2 | @Utah Tech*
Nov. 9 | @EKU*
Nov. 16 | Southern Utah*
Nov. 23 | @Tarleton State*

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