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38 NWA College Football Preview 2019 Sunday, August 25, 2019 Brown, who turned 33 on Aug. 19, heads into Year 2 at the helm with a sharpened approach and high expecta- tions. In many respects, the former UCA of- fensive coordinator is still learning how to be a head coach, and what works for his program and what doesn't. Brown, who took over in December 2017 after ex-head coach Steve Campbell left for South Alabama, said he's trying to be more involved on defense and special teams this season while also developing better individual relationships with his players. His responsibilities have changed tre- mendously in all aspects since his days as the Bears' play-caller. "There's just a lot less X's and O's in- volved in being the head coach," Brown said. "I spend a lot of time monitoring our academics, making sure we're solid in that area, monitoring our social life, making sure that our guys are making good decisions. "On the football side of it, I was for- tunate enough to hire a great coaching staff. I trust those guys to handle a lot of the day-to-day game-planning rigors of a football season. But I want to try to jump in more and be more involved in all three aspects of the game this year, and really push this thing forward in what direction we want to go." The Bears were picked to finish sec- ond in the Southland in the preseason coaches poll. Nicholls State, last year's champion, was picked to finish first again. UCA has eight starters back on of- fense, including four on the offensive line. Both of the Bears' star running backs, senior Carlos Blackman and ju- nior Kierre Crossley, have finished in the top 11 in rushing in the Southland the past two years. But the biggest boost is having Smith healthy at quarterback. He broke his right ankle in the fourth game last year against Sam Houston State. Backup Kirk Baugh was injured later in that game, and the Bears played third-string redshirt freshman Luke Hales in the final seven games of the season. The pieces are in place this year for a high-powered offense, so long as Smith and Co. can stay healthy. UCA v Continued from Page 37 Photo courtesy of UCA UCA sophomore quarterback Breylin Smith said of the Bears this season, "I think the big things for us this year is not letting the little things slip." v Continued on next page UCA football schedule and results UCA 2019 SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT TIME Aug. 29 .........at Western Kentucky ....... 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 ............... at Austin Peay ................. 2 p.m. Sept. 14 .......... Abilene Christian* .............. 6 p.m. Sept. 21 ................. at Hawaii ................... 11 p.m. Oct. 5 ...............at Nicholls State* .............. 3 p.m. Oct. 12 ............. McNeese State* ............... 4 p.m. Oct. 19 ........ at Northwestern State* .......... 6 p.m. Oct. 26 .......... Sam Houston State* ............ 6 p.m. Nov. 2 ....................at Lamar* .................... 3 p.m. Nov. 9 ........Southeastern Louisiana* ........ 3 p.m. Nov. 16............Stephen F. Austin* .............. 3 p.m. Nov. 22 .......... at Incarnate Word* ........ 6:30 p.m. * Southland Conference game UCA 2018 RESULTS DATE OPPONENT RESULT Sept. 1 .................. at Tulsa ..................... L, 38-27 Sept. 8 .............. Murray State ................ W, 26-13 Sept. 15 .at Southeastern Louisiana* .... W, 33-25 Sept. 29 .... at Sam Houston State* .L, 34-31 (OT) Oct. 6 ............. Houston Baptist* ............. W, 66-35 Oct. 13 ........at Stephen F. Austin*...........W, 27-17 Oct. 20 ........ Northwestern State* .......... W, 38-17 Oct. 27 ......... at McNeese State* ............ L, 23-21 Nov. 3 ....................Lamar* ..................... L, 38-24 Nov. 10 ............Incarnate Word* .............. L, 40-27 Nov. 17........ at Abilene Christian* ............ W, 16-7 *Southland Conference game