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Sam Houston State Bearkats (2-2, SLC 0-0) vs. Central Arkansas Bears (1-3, SLC 0-1)
Saturday, October 6, 2007 - 6 p.m. - Bowers Stadium (Real Grass Pro Turf, 14,000)

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE OPENER
Sam Houston State opens its 2007 Southland Conference schedule Saturday with the league’s newest football member, the Central Arkansas Bears.

In Sam Houston’s 20 seasons as a member of the Southland Conference, the Bearkats are 7-12-1 in league openers. Three of the seven times the Kats have opened league play with a victory, Sam Houston went on to win the Southland Conference championship (1991, 2001, and 2004).

Last year, Sam Houston won its Southland opener on the road, defeating Northwestern State 30-20. The Bearkats went on to finish the 2006 season tied with SFA as league runners-up.

http://www.gobearkats.com/football/release.html

This should be a good one. That 1-3 record for Central is a bit deceiving, looks like they are playing some good ball. This will be a good test for both teams.

I think sam houston can get it done though. I think Bomar will have a huge game.

This is going to be a great game.

http://www.ucasports.com/gamenotes/UCA- ... 0NOTES.pdf

THE SERIES
This will be only the second meeting between the Bears and Bearkats. UCA won last year’s inaugural game 38-30 at Bowers Stadium.

MIRROR IMAGE
The Bears and Bearkats are eerily similar in several of the league’s statistical categories.
Consider:
• UCA has the No. 1 passing offense (280.5); SHSU is No. 2 ( 278.8 )
• SHSU is 1st in total offense (435.2); UCA is 2nd (429.2)
• UCA is second scoring offense (30.2); SHSU is No. 2 (26.5)
• SHSU is 6th in total defense (413); UCA is 7th (426)
• SHSU is 5th in rushing offense (156.6); UCA is 6th ( 148.8 )
• UCA is 6th in pass defense (228.5); SHSU is 7th (241)
• UCA is 5th in KO returns (19.4); SHSU is 6th (19.3)
• UCA is 1st in first downs (97); SHSU is 2nd (96)
• UCA is 1st in third-down conversions (51.7%); SHSU is 3rd (43.3)
• SHSU is 6th in red-zone offense (73.7%); UCA is 7th (61.5)

POINTS GALORE
UCA has scored more than 50 points in a game 10 times in the past three seasons, including a high of 58 in a 58-31 win over Southern Arkansas in 2004. They even did it in the NCAA D-II playoffs in 2005, beating Presbyterian 52-28 in the second round. The Bears topped the 50-point mark four times in 2004 and five times in 2005, setting the school record.

BY THE NUMBERS.......................... UCA........... SHSU
SCORING AVG................................30.2............26.5
FIRST DOWNS AVG.........................24.2............24.0
RUSHING YARDS AVG....................148.8..........156.0
PASSING YARDS AVG.....................280.5..........278.8
TOTAL OFFENSE AVG......................429.2..........435.2
KICK RETURNS AVG.......................19.4............19.2
PUNT RETURNS AVG.......................2.7..............11.8
FUMBLES/LOST...............................4-2..............2-1
PENALTIES-YDS...........................23-201........26-218
PUNTS-AVG.................................18-40.9.......15-42.1
TIME OF POSSESSION AVG..........32:40..........29:59
3RD DOWN CONVERSIONS..........31 of 60......26 of 60
4TH DOWN CONVERSIONS............3 of 6..........3 of 7

Tale of the Tape........................... UCA.................SHSU
Offensive line (starters avg.)........ 6-3, 291..........6-2, 296
Defensive line............................. 6-2, 261..........6-2, 259
Offensive backs.......................... 6-0, 220..........6-0, 204
Receivers................................... 5-11, 186........5-10, 183
Linebackers................................ 6-0, 214..........5-11, 213
Defensive backs......................... 5-11, 192........5-10, 191
Punt/Kickoff returners................. 5-10, 184........6-0, 186
Kicker/Punter............................. 6-2, 200.........5-8, 156

Notes and Info. Courtesy of UCA Sports Information Dept.