Tarleton State Defeated the Bears with strong offensive drives Nov. 23, securing a 39-14 victory.
The first quarter saw UCA start with a solid drive, as redshirt freshman quarterback Caleb Koger connected with senior running back ShunDerrick Powell for a 31-yard pass. However, the drive stalled, and Koger’s fourth-down attempt was incomplete, giving Tarleton State possession at its 38-yard line.
Tarleton capitalized quickly, with senior running back Kayvon Britten’s drives leading to a 7-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Cody Jackson, giving Tarleton a 7-0 lead.
UCA struggled to respond, as Koger’s third-down pass stalled, leading to a punt. Tarleton advanced closer to UCA’s goal but was blocked by Tarleton.
UCA gained momentum starting from their 13-yard line, with Powell breaking a 6-yard rush and Koger connecting with senior wide receiver Trejan Bridges for a 30-yard gain. However, UCA’s offense stalled again, and Tarleton regained possession, pressing forward with the ball. The first quarter ended with UCA trailing behind 7-0.
The second quarter started with Tarleton extending their lead. Britten broke a 27-yard touchdown run, making it 14-0. UCA responded with a 16-yard rush by Powell but struggled, as Koger’s passes fell incomplete.
After a quick punt, Tarleton’s offense stalled. UCA regained possession, with sophomore wide receiver Manny Smith and senior running back Darius Hale pushing for Tarlton’s goal. Koger capped the drive with a 1-yard run to score 7-14 with less than three seconds left in the quarter.
Tarleton responded with a series of quick plays, including a 25-yard pass from junior quarterback Victor Gabalis to Cooper, but the drive stalled in the red zone. A sack by senior linebacker David Walker on third down forced a turnover on downs at UCA’s 20-yard line with just 11 seconds left in the half.
Tarleton State opened the second half of the game with possession after a penalty on the kickoff return, starting from their 12-yard line. The Texans marched down the field, with Gabalis completing a 15-yard pass to senior wide receiver Benjamin Omayebu.
Starting from their 2-yard line, Central Arkansas quickly faced stiff resistance. A flagged false start penalty backed them up, and after regaining possession of the ball, Tarleton extended their lead to 16-7.
Tarleton quarterback Gabalis passed the ball to Britten for a 47-yard touchdown pass, though Tarleton was unable to get the extra point, making the Texans score 22-7.
UCA responded with a 64-yard touchdown run by Powell, cutting the deficit to 22-14 despite a false start penalty on the extra point attempt.
Koger’s throw was intercepted by Tarleton’s sophomore linebacker Steve Albert Jr., giving the Texans possession of the ball at the UCA 25-yard line. The quarter ended with Tarleton leading 22-14 and controlling the ball for the rest of the quarter.
In the Final quarter, Tarleton State extended its lead to 29-14 with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Gabalis to senior wide receiver Darius Cooper. After a successful onside kick, the Texans were able to get another field goal, making their lead 39-14.
Central Arkansas struggled to respond, turning the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass on 4th-and-2. Tarleton ran out the clock, stalling the Bears’ attempt to score, sealing a 39-14 victory.