The Bears’ football team ruffled feathers in a 51-24 win over the Kennesaw State Owls Saturday, Oct. 15. The victory inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia, brings the Bears to 2-0 in ASUN Conference play.
UCA made conference history when junior wide receiver Christian Richmond set a new ASUN reception record with 12 catches, equaling 156 yards and two touchdowns, in a single game.
The game brought season highs to UCA in points (51) and total offensive yards (543).
Sophomore running back Darius Hale ran for 170 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry with 23 carries. Hale scored two touchdowns, including the final one of the game.
“It was a good feeling to finish off with a long rushing touchdown to put the nail in the coffin,” Hale said.
Preparation after a 52-49 defeat against the Lindenwood Lions on Oct. 8 helped the team go even further against the Owls.
“We had a really good week of practice,” Hale said. “This was the key to our win this week. The loss last week was definitely a tough one but I do definitely think it’s what pushed us to getting a win.”
Coach Nathan Brown had similar thoughts about the week leading up to the win.
“We had a great week of preparation,” Brown said. “I think our guys stayed consistent through adversity and trusted the plan. We knew it was a big week for us and we prepared and played well.”
Junior quarterback Will McElvain had 292 yards passing and threw for two touchdowns.
The Bears took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter before ending the quarter with a 7-7 tie after the Bears unsuccessfully forced a punt on Kennesaw’s first possession. The ball was muffed and fell on by Kennesaw State sophomore running back Gabriel Benyard at the UCA 45-yard line.
In the second quarter, senior kicker Hayden Ray kicked a 48-yard field goal and a 43-yard field goal which gave the Bears a 27-10 advantage before halftime.
Hale said he believes Ray’s 43-yard field goal was the highlight of the game.
“Hayden making that 43-yard field goal was a big confidence booster for him and the team,” Hale said.
In the third quarter, both teams made seven points.
UCA sophomore running back Kylin James scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown on a 2:03 touchdown drive. Hale went over the 100-yard mark for the third time this season with 17 carries for 107 yards through the first three quarters.
Beginning the fourth quarter, UCA led KSU with a score of 34-17.
Ray made his third field goal in the fourth quarter which extended the lead by 10 points.
Hale scored UCA’s final touchdown to set the score at 51-24.
Brown complimented the Bears on a great victory.
“Christian Richmond on offense played great. I was also very pleased with Darius Hale and the way he ran the football,” Brown said. “On defense, Tamaurian Wilson and Cameron Godfrey had a huge game from the secondary as well as David Walker on the defensive line. Hayden Ray kicked the ball well.”
The Bears will take the stripes Saturday, Oct. 29, against the North Alabama Lions in their fourth ASUN match on Homecoming. The game will start at 4 p.m. at Estes Stadium.