Wind reflections

There were plenty of stars on the field in the Central Arkansas Bears’ 34-0 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Estes Stadium on Saturday, but the figurative headline-grabber for many was the strong and constant wind that blew from the north throughout the game.

Gusts occasionally surpassed 50 miles an hour and made southern flights of hats and hot-dog wrappers a common sight from the grandstands. But a pass that overcame the wind stole the show early and gave UCA momentum that would not be overcome.

Following a holding penalty against UCA and two wind-proof handoffs from senior quarterback Hayden Hildebrand to freshman Kierre Crossley, Hildebrand and offensive coordinator Nathan Brown saw that ACU’s defense was stacked to stop the run.

Senior slot receiver Brandon Cox faced the oneon-one coverage of a safety who had no chance to match his speed.

Despite the wind that blew directly into his quarterback’s face, Brown called for a deep pass to Cox for the second official play from scrimmage. The result: A 78-yard touchdown that gave UCA a 7-0 lead with a total of 58 seconds played.

“In my coaching career, that was the most severe wind I’ve ever been a part of,” Brown said. “From an offensive standpoint, and coaching quarterbacks, there’s nothing worse than wind.”

UCA Coach Steve Campbell said the play should help make Hildebrand, the Southland Conference player of the year, a top contender for NCAA FCS player of the year.

“That wind’s gusting up to 40 and 50 miles an hour, and the third play from scrimmage we call a go ball, and he don’t blink,” Campbell said. “Boom, puts it right on the money into a gust, 78-yard touchdown, and it’s 7-0, strike up the band. Forget the statistics. To me, that’s player-of-the-year stuff.”