Venue & Kickoff
Location: First Security Field at Estes Stadium, Conway, Arkansas
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Capacity: 10,000
Weather Forecast (Conway, AR – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly clear, warm evening
Temperature: ~82°F at kickoff, mid‑70s by game’s end
Wind: Light SSW at 4–6 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Minimal; ideal for offensive execution
Injury Report
Central Arkansas
No major injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Missouri
Arkansas–Pine Bluff
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Texas Tech
Recent Form
Central Arkansas: QB Will McElvain returns after 2024 season with 2,500+ pass yds; RB ShunDerrick Powell (148 rush yds, 2 TD in 2024 meeting vs UAPB) leads ground game; defense allowed 495 yds to Missouri.
UAPB: QB Mekhi Hagens threw for 239 yds, 2 TD in 2024 meeting; offense managed just 7 points vs. Texas Tech; defense allowed 661 total yds in opener.
Key Player Matchups
QB Will McElvain (UCA) vs. UAPB Secondary
McElvain: 18/21, 235 yds, 2 TD in 2024 meeting
UAPB allowed 350 pass yds to Texas Tech in Week 1.
RB ShunDerrick Powell (UCA) vs. LB Colby Dempsey (UAPB)
Powell: 148 yds, 2 TD on 11 carries in last year’s game
Dempsey: Defensive leader, key in run fits.
WR Malachi Henry (UCA) vs. CB Kristian Gammage (UAPB)
Henry: 4 rec, 87 yds, 1 TD in 2024 meeting
Gammage: Also a top WR for UAPB, two-way playmaker.
QB Mekhi Hagens (UAPB) vs. UCA Pass Rush
Hagens: 15/35, 239 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT in 2024 meeting
UCA: Forced 2 turnovers in that game.
Series History
All-Time: Central Arkansas leads 2–0
First Meeting: 2021 — UCA 45–23
Last Meeting: 2024 — UCA 56–17 in Pine Bluff
Average Margin: +30.5 points for UCA
Betting Trends
Central Arkansas: 4–1 ATS in last 5; OVER in 6 of last 9
Arkansas–Pine Bluff: 0–5 ATS in last 5; OVER in 4 of last 5 road games
UCA has scored 45+ in both prior meetings
Game Odds
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions 55.5
Central Arkansas Bears – 24.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
