# 2024 Central Arkansas Bears football team

The 2024 Central Arkansas Bears football team represented the University of Central Arkansas as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bears were coached by seventh-year head coach Nathan Brown and played at Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 31 | 6:00 p.m. | at Arkansas State* | No. 11 | Centennial Bank StadiumJonesboro, AR | ESPN+ | L 31–34 | 21,708 |
| September 7 | 6:00 p.m. | at Lindenwood* | No. 9 | Harlen C. Hunter StadiumSt. Charles, MO | ESPN+ | W 34–13 | 4,668 |
| September 14 | 6:00 p.m. | Austin Peay | No. 7 | Estes StadiumConway, AR | ESPN+ | W 45–17 | 9,167 |
| September 21 | 6:00 p.m. | at Arkansas–Pine Bluff* | No. 8 | Simmons Bank FieldPine Bluff, AR | | W 56–17 | 8,247 |
| September 28 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 19 Lamar* | No. 7 | Estes StadiumConway, AR | ESPN+ | W 34–14 | 9,873 |
| October 5 | 3:00 p.m. | at No. 16 Abilene Christian | No. 5 | Wildcat StadiumAbilene, TX | ESPN+ | L 34–41 | 7,853 |
| October 12 | 4:00 p.m. | West Georgia | No. 12 | Estes StadiumConway, AR | ESPN+ | W 34–33 | 4,630 |
| October 26 | 4:00 p.m. | North Alabama | No. 12 | Estes StadiumConway, AR | ESPN+ | W 24–19 | 8,794 |
| November 2 | 3:00 p.m. | at Utah Tech | No. 11 | Greater Zion StadiumSt. George, UT | ESPN+ | L 21–34 | 2,526 |
| November 9 | 1:00 p.m. | at Eastern Kentucky | No. 16 | Roy Kidd StadiumRichmond, KY | ESPN+ | L 24–31 | 7,902 |
| November 16 | 4:00 p.m. | Southern Utah | No. 24 | Estes StadiumConway, AR | ESPN+ | L 31–38 | 4,024 |
| November 23 | 2:00 p.m. | at No. 16 Tarleton State | | Memorial StadiumStephenville, TX | ESPN+ | L 14–39 | 14,800 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from STATS Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### at Arkansas State (FBS)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 11 Bears | 0 | 0 | 10 | 21 | 31 |
| Red Wolves (FBS) | 6 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
at Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR
* Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: N at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
* Game attendance: 21,708
* Referee: Marshall Lewis
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Roger Twibell (play-by-play) and Darrell Greene (analyst)
| Statistics | UCA | ARST |
| First downs | 20 | 24 |
| Total yards | 432 | 457 |
| Rushing yards | 235 | 140 |
| Passing yards | 197 | 317 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–29–0 | 24–47–1 |
| Time of possession | 27:23 | 32:37 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Will McElvain | 15/28, 168 yards, TD |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 15 carries, 176 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Malachi Henry | 4 receptions, 61 yards |
| Arkansas State | Passing | Jaylen Raynor | 24/47, 317 yards, TD, INT |
| Arkansas State | Rushing | Ja'Quez Cross | 13 carries, 50 yards |
| Arkansas State | Receiving | Corey Rucker | 9 receptions, 179 yards, TD |

### at Lindenwood

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 9 Bears | 0 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
| Lions | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, Missouri
* Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 4,668
* Referee: Michael Lennie
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
| Statistics | UCA | LIN |
| First downs | 21 | 15 |
| Total yards | 554 | 258 |
| Rushing yards | 221 | 76 |
| Passing yards | 333 | 182 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 20–28–0 | 17–33–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:04 | 29:56 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Will McElvain | 20/28, 333 yards, 1 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 17 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Kam Robinson | 6 receptions, 112 yards |
| Lindenwood | Passing | Nate Glantz | 17/33, 182 yards, 1 TD |
| Lindenwood | Rushing | Steve Hall | 11 carries, 59 yards |
| Lindenwood | Receiving | Jeff Caldwell | 6 receptions, 99 yards |

### vs. Austin Peay

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Governors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 7 Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Estes Stadium • Conway, AR
* Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 PM CST
* Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Austin Peay | Passing |
| Austin Peay | Rushing |
| Austin Peay | Receiving |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |

### at Arkansas–Pine Bluff

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 8 Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Simmons Bank Field • Pine Bluff, AR
* Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
* TV announcers (TBD): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Passing |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Rushing |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Receiving |

### vs. No. 19 Lamar

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 19 Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| No. 7 Bears | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
at Estes Stadium • Conway, AR
* Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 PM CST
* Game weather: Weather: Sunny 0 °F (−18 °C)
* Game attendance: 9,873
* Referee: Michael Frain
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | LAM | UCA |
| First downs | 16 | 26 |
| Total yards | 220 | 439 |
| Rushing yards | 108 | 281 |
| Passing yards | 112 | 158 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 11-20-1 | 5-22-1 |
| Time of possession | 26:28 | 33:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Robert Coleman | 11/20 122 yds. 1 INT |
| Lamar | Rushing | Khalan Griffin | 18 carries, 74 yds, 1 TD |
| Lamar | Receiving | Sevonne Rhea | 5 Receptions, 55 yds |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Will McElvain | 15/22 158 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 25 carries, 187 yds, 2 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Trejan Bridges | 4 receptions, 60 yds |

### at No. 16 Abilene Christian

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 5 Bears | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
| No. 16 Wildcats | 14 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 41 |
at Wildcat Stadium, Abilene, Texas
* Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny
* Game attendance: 7,853
* Referee: Gabe Tomlin
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | UCA | ACU |
| First downs | 31 | 23 |
| Total yards | 528 | 506 |
| Rushing yards | 202 | 156 |
| Passing yards | 326 | 350 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:17 | 29:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Will McElvain | 33/46, 326 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 20 carries, 155 yards, 2 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Malachi Henry | 5 receptions, 83 yards |
| Abilene Christian | Passing | Maverick McIvor | 22/36, 350 yards, 5 TD |
| Abilene Christian | Rushing | Isaiah Johnson | 15 carries, 91 yards |
| Abilene Christian | Receiving | Nehemiah Martinez I | 7 receptions, 202 yards, 3 TD |

### vs. West Georgia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 13 Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Estes Stadium • Conway, AR
* Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
* Game time: 4:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| West Georgia | Passing |
| West Georgia | Rushing |
| West Georgia | Receiving |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |

### vs. North Alabama

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
| No. 12 Bears | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Estes Stadium • Conway, AR
* Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
* Game time: 4:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny
* Game attendance: 8,794
* Referee: Matthew Jones
* TV announcers (ESPN+): J.B. Brazeal (play-by-play) and Wess Moore (analyst)
| Statistics | UNA | UCA |
| First downs | 24 | 15 |
| Total yards | 353 | 306 |
| Rushing yards | 107 | 56 |
| Passing yards | 246 | 250 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–34–2 | 21–31–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:01 | 29:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Alabama | Passing | TJ Smith | 14/31, 191 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| North Alabama | Rushing | Jayvian Allen | 12 carries, 65 yards |
| North Alabama | Receiving | Dakota Warfield | 6 receptions, 80 yards |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Will McElvain | 21/31, 250 yards, 3 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 14 carries, 70 yards |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Malachi Henry | 2 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TD |

### at Utah Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 11 Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trailblazers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Greater Zion Stadium • St. George, UT
* Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
* Game time: 2:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |
| Utah Tech | Passing |
| Utah Tech | Rushing |
| Utah Tech | Receiving |

### at Eastern Kentucky

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Colonels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Roy Kidd Stadium • Richmond, KY
* Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |
| Eastern Kentucky | Passing |
| Eastern Kentucky | Rushing |
| Eastern Kentucky | Receiving |

### vs. Southern Utah

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Thunderbirds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 24 Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Estes Stadium • Conway, AR
* Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
* Game time: 4:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Southern Utah | Passing |
| Southern Utah | Rushing |
| Southern Utah | Receiving |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |

### at No. 16 Tarleton State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 16 Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX
* Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushing yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Central Arkansas | Passing |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving |
| Tarleton State | Passing |
| Tarleton State | Rushing |
| Tarleton State | Receiving |