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On to the Deamons...look to be much improved.

This has all of the makings of a trap game.

- On the road
- Winless opponent
- SHSU the next week

I know Coach Nathan Brown is going to have this team focused. With two losses already, we can at most only afford one more loss to be a near-guarantee for a playoff spot. Lose two, especially if one of them is to a winless opponent, and we're at best a bubble team.

Keys to the game:

1. Our offense has to come out firing like it did last week. Spread it out a bit, let the QB/WR's do their thing, and use Carlos and Kiki to keep them honest. If they play for the pass, Carlos will have another game like he did against Hawaii.

2. Our O-line just needs to give Breylin a bit more time.

3. Secondary needs to not get beat.

4. Someone needs to play contain on the QB and not let him run wild.

5. We need to watch for a WR, RB, or TE getting open mid field when we have good coverage elsewhere. We got burned on that quite a bit.


Defensively, if we can just make small to medium improvements in these areas, we'll be tough down the stretch.

This will be a true test for this coaching staff. Can they better prepare these players for this road trip compared to the Nicholls game (Nicholls is obviously much more talented of a team, but still)?

Very much of a trap game. UCA really needs to game plan for a strong first quarter. Maybe do something out of the box. We should be able to score 21 or 28 in the first half no problem.

The Bear offensive philosophy is what it is.
The Bear defensive philosophy is what it is.

I don't look for any major changes this week.

BPSG
___________________
GO BEARS

Bears are 4-2, 2-1 and ranked #13.
If I knew that at the start of the season I would be
happy to be in this position.

This team is better than their record. No slip ups Bears!

Fun fact: uca has trailed by double digits in every game this year

I don't think I would classify that fact as "fun" (I sure as heck know the coaches would not).



Here's a novel idea for this week: Just dominate. We're the better team. Let's show why we are.

Do we know if the attitude is right with this team? Often times they don't seemed focus, and have a good amount of distractions.

Let's hope so! I agree though. There have been times when it seems like they are not on the same page.

This is where it's the coaches job to give them an attitude check. Next man up. We don't need any bad attitudes or guys not focused.

Personally know alot of the players... attitudes are fine with each other..all are on the same page and respect their coaches to the upmost! Matter of fact I think this is a close knit team!!!

I agree 100%. Being 4-2 at this point is very good. Especially having played two FBS teams plus the #8 team in the country. Playing Nicholls after an off week, their first home game, a long bus trip, 100 degree temperatures and dressing in a tent and using porta potties proved too much to overcome. The Bears obviously learned from it and beat McNeese.
It is tough to win in the Southland but the Bears still have tremendous opportunities ahead.

This is great to hear!

Let's take look at the Demons...………

Really tough season so far at 0-6...…..

@UT-Martin, 20-42.....led at half 20-14......4-2 overall and leads OVC at 3-0
Home v Midwestern State, 7-33....D2 Lonestar Conference.....3-3
@LSU, 14-65....led 7-3 after Q1.....nuff said
@HBU, 21-48...
Home vs Southeastern, 27-44...tied at half at 17 all
@Nicholls State, 35-45....got down 7-31 early Q3 then stormed back 28-14 to end the game....

Of course, all that really matters is how they played vs Nicholls...……scored 21 more than we could manage

Below is NWS vs Nicholls stats:

Rush: 41 v 349
Pass: 387 v 188.....Demons had 4TDs and no INTs
3rd downs: 4/9 v 8/11
Redzone: 4/4 v 5/6

Nicholls avg 41 yds per KOR on 2 returns...

QB Shelton Epler was 27/37/387/4
Akile Davis was 7/155 receiving
Quan Shorts was 9/135 receiving
Myles Ward had a 40 yd KOR

Demons have given up 200+ yards rushing per game excluding Nicholls....and nearly 300 yds per game passing

They have rushed for 70 yd avg per game but 300 yd passing per game..

They have converted 37% of 3rd downs and 44% of 4ths..have given up 55% and 40%...

They have 13/21 redzone scores and have given up 26/27....

Shorts and Davis have 10 TD receptions combined but 4 others have at least one...

Team has 11 sacks but have allowed only 9....

****

Hard to figure a team like NWS....whipped by an unranked D2 team but nearly win over #9 FCS on the road....was Nicholls just the effect of long standing in-state rivalries and Colonels a let down after the beating of the Bears? It was a game very early but Nicholls got way out in front...did they take their foot off the pedal and give Demons hope? Or have Demons finally put it together for the season?

Bears defense look to have another game of needing good pass defense which has not been consistent......Epler has thrown 5 INTs on the season..be nice for Bears to get 2-3...a couple receivers with solid stats should be manageable....but they have several others who avg 10+ per catch….and watch the backside and screens!!!

Offense needs to rush 100+ and o-line needs to protect to let LW and others get downfield...

FGs and PATs may again be key.....glad we have Ray...

Have to go with Bears ……….37-28