Central Arkansas comes back in 4th, beats Nicholls 31-24
CONWAY, Ark. -- Hayden Hildebrand threw for 257 yards as Central Arkansas regained control in the fourth quarter to stop Nicholls 31-24 in Southland Conference play on Saturday.
Central Arkansas (9-1, 8-0) is now primed for a showdown with Sam Houston State next Saturday in Huntsville. The Bearkats were 9-0 and 7-0 in conference going into their game against Northwestern State later Saturday night.
UCA was ahead 17-14 entering the final quarter but Nicholls struck quickly when Chase Fourcade, who threw for 340 yards and two scores, hit C. J. Bates on an 80-yard scoring bomb for a 21-17 lead. The Bears answered when Carlos Blackman scored from the 15 with 11:16 left. Jaylon Lofton sealed the win when he intercepted a Fourcade pass, returning it 79 yards for a touchdown for a 31-21 lead with 8:15 remaining.
Fourcade was also the leading rusher for Nicholls (5-5, 5-3) with 66 yards on 11 carries.
Game Information
2023 Southland Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholls | 7-0 | 6-5 |
| Incarnate Word | 6-1 | 8-2 |
| Lamar | 5-2 | 6-5 |
| Houston Christian | 4-3 | 5-5 |
| SE Louisiana | 3-4 | 3-8 |
| Texas A&M-Commerce | 2-5 | 1-9 |
| McNeese | 1-6 | 0-10 |
| Northwestern State | 0-7 | 0-6 |
2023 United Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay | 6-0 | 9-3 |
| Central Arkansas | 4-2 | 7-4 |
| Southern Utah | 4-2 | 6-5 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 4-2 | 5-6 |
| Tarleton State | 4-2 | 8-3 |
| Abilene Christian | 3-3 | 5-6 |
| North Alabama | 1-5 | 3-8 |
| Utah Tech | 1-5 | 2-9 |
| Stephen F. Austin | 0-6 | 3-8 |
NCAAF News
