UCA’s football team came within striking distance of securing a victory against a Power Five team in their annual FCS vs. FBS matchup.
The Bears (0-1) traveled to Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday night, Sept. 2, to lace up against the Big 12’s Oklahoma State Cowboys in front of a season-opening crowd of 53,855. The Bears fell short, however, as Oklahoma State won the game 27-13.
In the first half of the game, UCA had two separate touchdowns called back due to penalties, but with 4:37 left to play in the third quarter, UCA senior quarterback Will McElvain and his offense marched the length of the field, capping the eight-play drive off with a one-yard touchdown pass from McElvain to junior running back Kylin James, making the score 13-7, Oklahoma State leading.
The Cowboys retaliated with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 27-7.
The UCA offense got the ball back with 5:54 left to play in the fourth quarter and ended up in their own end zone just seven plays later, with McElvain finding senior wide receiver Christian Richmond for the two-yard touchdown strike, bringing the final score to 27-13.
Coach Nathan Brown expressed his pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing their goal to make it a four-quarter contest.
“I’m extremely proud of this team. We made it a four-quarter game, and we made it tough on them. That was our goal coming into this game. We felt like if we got it to four quarters we’d have a shot,” said Brown.
“And we did. You know, we left some stuff out there and we’re disappointed in that. First-game stuff that we’ll get corrected from week one to week two. But I told our team afterward that I’m proud of them. But it doesn’t mean we leave here happy, because we had full intention of coming over here to compete and win the game,” Brown said.
The UCA defense looked to be in midseason form from the opening drive of the game as sophomore outside linebacker Jake Golday broke through the pocket and forced a hurried pass from OSU’s quarterback, resulting in an interception by sophomore linebacker Demetrias Charles.
With the momentum in their favor, the Bears offense looked to capitalize off the turnover, but penalties denied them two touchdowns on their first drive. McElvain completed a 20-yard pass to Richmond on a second-and-12 that was brought back, and McElvain connected with James for a 25-yard strike that did not stand either.
The Bears settled for a field-goal attempt, which Oklahoma State’s senior cornerback Korie Black blocked, leaving the game tied at 0-0 with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter.
The Cowboys got the ball back and answered with a nine-play, 80-yard drive, resulting in an 11-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Garret Rangel to senior wide receiver Brennen Presley, making the score 7-0 with 2:58 left in the first.
The Bears’ defense continued to look sharp in the second quarter, holding OSU to just a pair of field goals, making the score 13-0 going into halftime. UCA’s defense gave the Cowboys some serious personnel trouble, with OSU using three different quarterbacks throughout the game.
The Bears’ offense found its stride in the third quarter, embarking on an impressive 95-yard scoring drive that resulted in a touchdown pass. This brought the Bears within striking distance at 13-7. The Cowboys responded with a 93-yard drive to extend their lead to 20-7, and another touchdown drive for OSU made the score 27-7.
The Bears scored one final touchdown, closing the game at 27-13. Will McElvain had an impressive opening performance, completing 24 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
“I think it was just a testament to how well we were prepared. To come into the game and get a stop on the first drive, then go down the field and put a good drive together. We don’t want a moral victory but I think we understand how good of a team we can be. I think we already knew that, but to come in here and put it to the test and kind of confirm it, I think it will be good momentum going into weeks forward,” McElvain said.
Looking ahead, UCA is gearing up for its home opener against Texas College on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. at First Security Field at Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas.