Coach: Bears in ‘good shape’ entering stretch run
Central Arkansas started 0-2 this season, but the Bears put themselves in position to play in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the first time since 2012.
For second-year coach Steve Campbell, it’s a matter of players stepping up when needed.
“We’re figuring it out,” Campbell said at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s luncheon Monday at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. “Guys have stepped up and made plays. They embraced the struggle and not running from it. Everybody’s going to struggle. But embrace it and go find a way to get it done and make a play.”
UCA has used three different quarterbacks this season because of injuries. Senior Taylor Reed had been out since Sept. 26 at Northwestern (La.) State because of a shoulder injury and sophomore Hayden Hildebrand took over for him. Reed returned to action last Saturday night in a 26-16 victory over Southeastern Louisiana at Estes Stadium in Conway as Hildebrand missed the game because of a shoulder injury suffered in practice during the week. However, Reed left Saturday’s game when he re-injured his shoulder and true freshman Kirk Baugh replaced him.
Campbell said Reed and
Hildebrand practiced Sunday and should be ready for Saturday’s game against Stephen F. Austin in Conway.
With UCA’s quarterback situation over the past couple of weeks, the Bears have turned to the running game and senior running back Blake Veasley. He rushed for 292 yards and 4 touchdowns on 49 carries against Lamar on Oct. 24 and had 191 yards and 1 touchdown on 27 carries last Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana. He is UCA’s leading rusher with 661 yards and 8 touchdowns on 124 carries this season.
“Blake is running the football extremely hard and extremely well,” Campbell said. “That’s the testament to the preparation he’s put in to have an outstanding senior year. He’s doing really well.”
The Bears (5-3, 5-1 Southland Conference) have won five of their past six games and are at home for two of their final three games. They’ll host a Stephen F. Austin team coached by former UCA coach Clint Conque, who guided the Bears in 2000-2013. UCA is in a second-place tie in the Southland with Sam Houston State and one game behind McNeese State, which handed the Bears their only conference loss Oct. 17.
Campbell said he likes the position the Bears are in going into their final three games, but he’s focused on Saturday’s game only.
“If we win the next game, we’ll be in good shape,” Campbell said. “That’s all we’re worried about right now. We’re in good shape to if we win the next game. That’s why we’re taking them one at a time. We like the setup, but we have to win this one game.”
Campbell also said he likes the direction the Bears are going.
“I like the effort and the heart the kids are playing with,” Campbell said. “We have a lot of young guys who are making plays. We have a lot of great senior leadership.”