Game Notes
HAMMOND – Looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to in-state rival McNeese State last week, Southeastern Louisiana returns to the gridiron on Saturday when it travels to Conway, Ark., to face Central Arkansas at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), in the New Orleans on WGSO-AM (990) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.
The game will be televised regionally on the Southland Conference Television Network, including WUPL-TV (Channel 54) in New Orleans and WBTR-TV (Channel 41) in Baton Rouge. Free live streaming, courtesy of SLC Now, can be accessed at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern (2-5, 1-2 Southland), which has lost four games by a combined 11 points, looks to get back into the Southland Conference race after a 13-10 loss to McNeese State. The Lions, who defeated UCA (4-3, 1-2 Southland) in last year's matchup in Hammond, play three of their final four games on the road.
The Lions enter the game third in the Southland Conference in total offense (358.9 yards per game) and are second in total defense (356.6). Southeastern ranks third in the league in passing offense (241.3) and have picked off a league-high 12 passes.
Quarterback
Tyler Beatty, ranked third in the Southland Conference in passing offense and total offense, has paced Southeastern with 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Simmie Yarborough has caught 41 passes with seven touchdowns for the Lions with
Brandon Collins (31 receptions) and
Kory Theodore (23 receptions) next.
Sam Fairley and
Zeke Jones have led Southeastern on the ground with Jones scoring seven TDs.
Defensively,
Mark Newbill ranks 11th nationally and is second in the Southland Conference in tackles. Newbill tallied 13 stops last week against McNeese State, increasing his career total to 373 and passing former Lion Wayne Faul as the school's all-time leader.
Tommy Connors and
Ryan Godare, who are each in the top 10 in the career tackles list, are next with 60 and 41 stops respectively. Connors is one of four players, joining
Curtis Strong,
Clint Coleman and
Re'Keem Wilson, with three interceptions each.
UCA rebounded after losses to Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin with a 31-7 win at Nicholls last week. The Bears, who opened with a 3-0 record before three straight losses that began at FBS opponent Tulsa, are second in the Southland Conference in total offense (372.9) and passing offense (251.1).
UCA is third in the league in total defense (357.3) and pass defense (221.3) and are second among league schools with 22 sacks.
Nathan Dick, a transfer from Arkansas, has thrown for nearly 1,600 yards with seven touchdowns in his first season as a full-time starter. Kenneth Robey has paced all Southland Conference receivers with 48 catches while a balanced rushing attack, that includes former Destrehan product Wynrick Smothers, is fourth in the Southland Conference.
Frank Newsome and Tok Opeloye have recorded 54 and 52 tackles each to lead UCA with Seth Allison leading the secondary with three interceptions.
UCA leads the series between the schools, 2-1, with the Bears claiming a 28-21 victory two years ago in the previous meeting in Conway.
