CONWAY, Ark. -- Excitement is building for the third season of gridiron action in the United Athletic Conference (UAC) and as a lead into the kickoff of the 2025 campaign, we will preview each of the nine league members with a daily countdown in the "Chase for the Crown". Central Arkansas has been one of the league's top performers garnering Top 25 rankings in both seasons of play in the UAC while battling down to the wire for a title in the inaugural season.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS QUICK FACTS
2025 Preseason Selection: 5th
2024 Record: 6-6 (3-5 UAC / T6th)
Program Best FCS Record: 10-2, 2x (2008, 2017) 
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances: 4 (Last: 2017)
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Career Record: 31-24 (6th Season) / 7-7 UAC (3rd Season)

KEY RETURNERS
- MALACHI HENRY (WR, SO) - Preseason All-UAC and named to multiple Freshman All-America lists in 2024... Hauled in 41 receptions for 683 yards (16.7 ypc) in debut season for UCA and finished with five touchdowns
- DILLON WILLIAMS (DB, JR) - Preseason All-UAC selection and top returning tackler for the Bears with 80 stops (4 TFL, 1 Sack)... Tallied an INT and 5 PBUs last year 

NOTEWORTHY
1. The Bears won 6 of their first 8 games in 2024 before injuries hit the squad and saw them drop their final four games of the season with three on the road and two decided by a single score... UCA narrowly missed earning an FBS upset over Arkansas State in the season opener, 34-31

2. Head Coach NATHAN BROWN begins his sixth season at the helm of his alma mater, carrying a 31-24 all-time coaching record...  Brown was a record-setting, Hall of Fame performing quarterback during his playing days for the Bears 

3. On offense, Central Arkansas looks to replace one of the most dynamic duos at running back in the nation as ShunDerrick Powell (1343 yds) and Darius Hale (763 yards) combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns in 2024

4. Defensively, UCA has to fill the void left on the defensive line by David Walker, the UAC Defensive Player of the Year, Buck Buchanan Award Winner and NFL 4th Round Draft Pick... Walker  recorded 68 tackles including 23 TFLs and 10 sacks while also forcing four fumbles

5. Central Arkansas was one of the most balanced squads on the ground in the UAC a year ago, ranking 3rd in rushing offense (199.83 ypg) and 3rd in rushing defense (132.5 ypg)... The Bears were tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with 28

2025 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 | @Missouri
Sept. 6 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Sept. 13 | Tarleton State*
Sept. 20 | @Sacramento State
Sept. 27 | @Lamar
Oct. 4 | Utah Tech*
Oct. 11 | @North Alabama*
Oct. 25 | @West Georgia*
Nov. 1 | EKU*
Nov. 8 | @Austin Peay*
Nov. 15 | @Southern Utah*
Nov. 22 | Abilene Christian*

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