The UCA football team duked it out with the Abilene Christian Wildcats, ending with a victory for the Wildcats, 41-34. 

The Bears paid the Wildcats a visit Oct. 5 in Abilene, Texas, after a nonconference win over Lamar University. 

Coach Nathan Brown said, “We stubbed our toe this week on the road against a ranked opponent. We knew it would be tough but we did not play our best game.”

Brown said, “We didn’t do enough early in the game to give us a chance in the end. I was proud of our fight and effort to give a shot with the ball in our hands down one score at the end of the game. But, when you’re on the road against a quality top-15 opponent, you have to play for 60 minutes.”

The Wildcats led the game 31-17 by halftime before Central Arkansas was able to rally in the second half. The Bears doubled their score by the end of the game, but it was not enough to catch up to Abilene.

In the final minute of the third quarter, senior quarterback Will McElvain made an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior running back ShunDerrick Powell, updating the scoreboard to 34-24. 

ACU responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Maverick McIvor to Nehemiah Martinez. 

Senior placekicker Jake Gaster managed a 21-yard field goal with only 8 minutes left in the game, bringing it to a two-score deficit. 

With a remaining minute on the clock, McElvain made an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Trejan Bridges.

By the end of the game, the Bears had 528 yards of total offense and ACU had 506. 

McElvain managed 33 of 46 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns, while Powell ran 20 times for 170 yards with two touchdowns. 

Brown said the team has a lot of improvements to make.

“We have to have short-term memory and get better at it. If we do that throughout the week of preparation we will play a good game next Saturday at home against West Georgia,” Brown said. “We are in a good spot at the mid-way point of the season being a top 10 team in division 1 FCS football. We have a big week this week to get the winning taste back in our mouth.”

Brown said, “We made small adjustments throughout the game like we always have. We did not tackle well early, which created some big plays for their offense. When we rallied to the ball and got them down we had success,” Brown said.

“I was pleased at the way Malachi Henry and Trajen Bridges played at wide receiver,” he said. “I also thought Jordan Owens had a great game at tight end in the blocking game and receiving game.”

The Bears will host West Georgia at 4 p.m. Oct. 12.