Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 45) JUSTIN ACRI THAT PHRASE “DON’T BLINK, you might miss something” describes a drive through many of the small towns tucked away along highways and country roads in The Natural State. It’s also a theme that fits the University of Central Arkansas football team these Justin Acri days. For example, the UCA broadcast team and many in the crowd were caught off guard as the Bears opened the 2007 campaign with a 58-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage that was caught by … the fullback. Big plays and creative formations abound when coach Clint Conque, offensive coordinator Todd Cooley and senior quarterback Nathan Brown work in harmony. Unfortunately for defenses, that happens a lot on game day. UCA’s offensive substitution pattern is more akin to a hockey line change than what’s typically seen on the gridiron. Don’t Blink, You Might Miss Something Special at UCA Several times a game and often several times in the same series, a handful of receivers and backs swap out with teammates between plays. Perhaps nowhere in the country do observers use the rosters that come in their programs more than when watching the Bears. The frequent changes earn play-byplay announcer Steve Sullivan a pat on the back for keeping up with who’s in and who’s out. An almost secondary part of his role is to follow the action and accurately convey the play of the game. He gets additional credit for doing so with unbridled charisma. It’s easy to be enthusiastic about a Bears offense that averaged more than 33 points and 450 yards a game last year. Returning are top rusher Brent Grimes and the six leading receivers from a corps that came in largely inexperienced and unheralded but performed admirably in 2007. An offensive line that allowed only 14 sacks in more than 400 pass attempts is also intact from last year. The last, but clearly not least, component on this side of the ball is the Southland’s Offensive Player of the Year, Nathan Brown. The much-heralded star completed almost 68 percent of his passes for more than 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Brown can make all the throws, coolly call his own plays in the two-minute offense and make great decisions even with defenders in his face, but his greatest asset comes from within. He may be a Bear, but Brown plays with tiger’s heart. I had a discussion with Coach Conque last season about systems vs. quarterbacks. It was my contention (I was kindly, but pointedly, set straight) that some systems are so good that just about anyone could be successful under center. In addition, I argued that some quarterbacks are so talented they could play well with any plan of attack. Conque feels (and I now agree) that it takes a good system with the right quarterback to allow an offense to operate at peak performance. If that’s the case then Nathan Brown is the jelly to the Bears’ peanut butter. The peas to their carrots. The Chachi to their Joni. Capice? Perhaps more important — especially to defensive coordinator Denzil Cox — the men in purple and gray will have added a few defensive weapons to the den in the offseason. The defensive line returns beastly bookends Quad Sanders and Taylor Scott and there is plenty of experience in the backfield. The linebackers are experienced, but will also be buoyed by some athletic transfers. In most cases, Football Championship Subdivision (better known as I-AA) football requires some work to get people in the seats. Schools need a great marketing plan, a winning tradition or at least an exciting style of play. UCA has all three working in its favor, resulting in an average attendance well over 10,000. So, my suggestion is that if you want the most thrills available per dollar this fall in Arkansas, get yourself to Estes Stadium at some point in 2008 on a game day. Oh yeah, I almost forgot: Don’t blink. ❍ Justin Acri is program director of KABZFM, 103.7 “The Buzz,” and host of “The Zone” on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. He also serves as color commentator on UCA football radio broadcasts and is host of “The Clint Conque Show” weekly during the season on KATV, Channel 7. DEPENDABILITY Because sometimes, you’ve got to take the team further than the town next door. 30 Years of Clinical Experience Chiropractic, Naturally… MERLS, A r k aSales Bus Va n B u r e n nsas (800) 776-2429 July 2008 ArkansasSports360.com 45 http://www.littlerockchiropractic.com http://www.littlerockchiropractic.com http://ArkansasSports360.com
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