Wildcats stun error-prone Bears

CONWAY — Turnovers negated a 434-216 advantage in total yards for Central Arkansas in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Saturday at Estes Stadium.

The Southland Conference champion Bears lost two fumbles, tossed two interceptions and had their 10-game winning streak snapped in a 21-15 loss to visiting New Hampshire.

Trailing 21-9 with 7:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, Southland Conference player of the year Hayden Hildebrand connected with Cedric Battle for a 78-yard touchdown to pull the Bears within 21-15.

Taking over on its own 18-yard line after a defensive stand, UCA marched into New Hampshire territory with less than two minutes to play, but a fumble on the 36 ended the comeback bid with 1:16 remaining in the fourth.

Forced to punt on its first possession, the Bears gained an early lead when Hildebrand found Battle for a 74-yard score in the first quarter.

The Wildcats knotted the score at 7-7 on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Knight to Evan Gray

with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter.

After a scoreless second quarter, Evan Horn returned a Hildebrand interception 56 yards for a touchdown as New Hampshire stretched its lead to 14-7.

UCA pulled within 14-9 on a safety by George Odum in the first minute of the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats struck back with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Christian Lupoli to Malik Love with 7:19 remaining in the game.

Playing his last game for the Bears, Hildebrand completed 27 of 40 passes for 361 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Battle had three catches for a team-high 154 yards.

Carlos Blackman paced the Bears with 68 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Lupoli completed 8 of 10 passes for 63 yards while Knight was 8 of 14 for 47 yards and one interception. Gray led New Hampshire with 87 rushing yards on 24 attempts.

Suffering its first home loss of the season, UCA finished with a record of 10-2. Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State advanced to the quarterfinals with a 54-42 win over North Dakota on Saturday.