Central Arkansas Is 2–5. The Film Has a Different Story.

DITV Opponent Files | UTRGV vs. Central Arkansas

Five straight losses. A 2–5 record. Nearly 31 points surrendered per game.

If you’re shopping for an easy win, Central Arkansas looks pretty good in the window.

Just make sure you check what’s under the hood.

These same Bears opened the season by knocking off No. 22 UT Martin, 36–24. Last Saturday, they rolled into No. 2 Tarleton State and dropped 35 points, tying the game at 28 in the third quarter before falling 49–35.

That’s Central Arkansas. Enough offense to make good teams uncomfortable, but not enough consistency to finish the job.

So before the 956 starts looking past Saturday, let’s get familiar with who’s waiting in Conway.

Meet the Bears

Central Arkansas averages 379 yards of offense, including 206 on the ground. They rushed for 407 yards against Central Oklahoma and 206 against Abilene Christian.

Running back Jalen Washington (#9) leads the way with 552 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 6.3 per carry. He’s already busted a 71-yard run this season.

But quarterback Donovyn Omolo (#3) is where things get tricky.

Omolo has thrown for 1,202 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 482 rushing yards and three scores. He’s also thrown six interceptions, so there’s some risk mixed into that production.

For UTRGV, stopping Washington is only half the assignment. Lose contain, take a bad angle or get caught watching the running back, and Omolo can turn a missed assignment into another first down.

The receiving room has some talent, too.

Dakarai Anderson (#8) has 33 catches for 302 yards. Ty Durham (#7) has 31 receptions, 291 yards and three touchdowns. Tyrell Pollard (#11) averages 16.5 yards per catch, while Arlie Lee (#0) averages 21.4.

Lee just gave Tarleton 113 yards, including a 65-yard connection. Omolo threw for 310 yards that afternoon.

Yeah, that 2–5 record isn’t telling the whole story.

Where UTRGV Can Eat

Now let’s flip the script.

Central Arkansas allows 30.9 points per game, 222 passing yards and a 67.6% completion rate.

Opponents convert 45.6% of their third downs.

Those numbers present opportunities for UTRGV’s offense, particularly through the air.

But the Bears have some dudes on defense.

Linebacker Ashtyn Williams (#34) leads the team with 79 tackles. Defensive back Bryson Adamoh (#21) has three interceptions and five pass breakups, while Kaydin Thomas (#0) leads the pass rush with 2.5 sacks.

Eleven team sacks. Eight interceptions.

Central Arkansas gives up yards, but careless football can get expensive against this group.

For UTRGV, that means protecting the quarterback, making good decisions and turning promising possessions into points. The opportunities should be there. Execution will determine whether they matter.

The DITV Read

Central Arkansas has faced Florida State, Southeast Missouri State and No. 2 Tarleton State. That’s no cupcake schedule, but five straight losses don’t happen by accident.

The Bears have problems. So do the Vaqueros.

At 3–4, UTRGV is still chasing its first road victory and searching for the offensive consistency that could make this team dangerous.

We believe in this roster, but believing in the talent also means expecting production.

Saturday isn’t a conference game, but it matters. Confidence matters. Growth matters. Learning how to win away from The Vack matters.

Central Arkansas has enough offense to expose UTRGV’s mistakes. UTRGV has enough talent to expose Central Arkansas’s weaknesses.

Both teams have spent too much of this season showing flashes of what they’re capable of.

Saturday, somebody needs to put four quarters together and let the scoreboard do the talking.

Saturday, October 24 | 4 p.m. CT


UTRGV (3–4) at Central Arkansas (2–5)


Estes Stadium | Conway, Arkansas | ESPN+