CONWAY, Ark. – The Southeastern Louisiana football team's rally from a 28-point deficit fell just short, as the Lions dropped a 28-21 decision at No. 13 Central Arkansas in Southland Conference action Saturday afternoon at Estes Stadium.

 

Southeastern got the ball back with just under three minutes to play and a chance to drive down and tie the game. However, UCA's defense stiffened and held Southeastern without a first down. On fourth-and-14, Vance Fizer broke up Brian Babin's pass attempt, allowing UCA to regain possession and run out the clock.

 

“I'm very, very proud of our young men,” Southeastern acting head coach Tommy Condell commented. “They came back with emotion and intensity that we needed and gave us an opportunity to be put in the position to tie the game. It's a credit to those young men and the coaching staff for keeping it at one play at a time.”

 

Southeastern (4-4, 1-2 SLC) fell into a 28-0 hole, thanks in large part to a season-high 15 penalties for 97 yards. UCA took over sole possession of first place in the Southland Conference standings, improving to 7-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 in league play.

 

After a lackluster first half, Babin bounced back and completed 27-for-43 passes for 270 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Southeastern running back Jay Lucas had 111 total yards and a touchdown. Simmie Yarborough (9-75) and Chris Wilson (5-63) each caught touchdown passes for the Lions. Defensively, Tommy Connors led the Lions with 15 tackles, while Mark Newbill made 12 stops for Southeastern.

 

UCA quarterback Nathan Brown finished 13-of-23 for 156 yards and two touchdowns, suffering a concussion late in the first half and not returning. The Bears were led by Brent Grimes, who rushed for 21 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while catching a touchdown score as well.

 

Up 21-0 at the half, UCA drove to the Southeastern two-yard line on the opening drive of the third quarter, but Marquis Powell forced a fumble, which Quinten Pierre recovered and returned to the Southeastern 18-yard line. However, UCA held Southeastern to a three-and-out. Southeastern attempted a fake punt, but Nathan Clophus was stopped short by Larry Hart, giving UCA the ball at the Southeastern 24-yard line.

 

Four plays later, Grimes rushed in from 14 yards out to push the UCA lead to 28-0 with 9:21 remaining in the third quarter. Southeastern answered with a seven-play, 65-yard drive to get on the scoreboard. Babin hit Yarborough for a 23-yard reception to key the drive, which was capped by a 25-yard Babin-to-Wilson strike, cutting the lead to 28-7 with 6:28 remaining in the third period. 

 

On the ensuing kickoff, T.J. Adams ripped off a 62-yard return, setting UCA up at the Southeastern 30-yard line. A missed snap on a field goal attempt caused holder Robbie Park to get sacked by Connors and Brian Reynolds.

 

Southeastern took advantage with a strong drive, as Babin hit separate passes to Lucas (25 yards) and Andre Cryer (24 yards) to key an 11-play, 85-yard scoring march. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Babin found Yarborough on an eight-yard scoring strike to cut the lead to 28-14 with 14:54 left.

 

After stopping the Bears and forcing a punt, Southeastern drove to the UCA 35-yard line, but Babin overthrew Wilson and Anthony Gambles picked it off at the Bear one-yard line to end the threat. UCA did not score on the ensuing possession, but chewed five minutes off the clock before punting it back to Southeastern with 6:05 left in the game.

 

Eight plays later, Babin found Lucas for a 19-yard screen pass, which the Baton Rouge native took into the end zone to cut the UCA lead to 28-21 with 3:12 left. Southeastern then forced the Bears into a three-and-out to set up the final drive.   

 

 UCA scored on all three of their drives in the second quarter after a scoreless first quarter to take a 21-0 halftime lead. Southeastern struggled to get anything going offensively in the first half, slowed by 11 penalties for 76 yards.

 

After both offenses struggled to get going in the first quarter, UCA finally broke through late in the first quarter. A 31-yard pass from Brown to Eric Ware keyed a Bear drive that moved to the Lion 10. However, Eddie Carmona missed a 28-yard field goal and the team's ended the quarter scoreless.

 

After the Lions were stopped again on the next drive, UCA finally got on the scoreboard. A blown Southeastern defensive assignment left Marquez Branson wide open for a 34-yard touchdown strike from Brown, capping a six-play, 63-yard march and giving the Bears a 7-0 lead with 11:45 remaining.

 

On the next Southeastern drive, Babin was sacked twice and forced the Lions to punt. UCA doubled its lead with a nine-play, 55-yard drive that was capped by a two-yard scamper by Grimes with 6:32 left in the half.

 

UCA added on to their lead as Brown hit Grimes with a nine-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Bear advantage to 21-0 with 16 seconds remaining in the half.

 

Southeastern returns to action next Saturday, when it hosts McNeese State at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the matchup with the Cowboys, as Southeastern attempts to “White Out” Strawberry Stadium.