Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

It took all 60 minutes and an interception in the end zone for UCA to secure a 24-20 victory over No. 3-ranked Sam Houston State, the Bears’ first victory against the Bearkats since 2008.

Bears safety Karl Brady intercepted a pass from Brian Bell in the end zone as time expired, securing the victory for the Bears.

 “Its one of the best I’ve been involved in,” Coach Clint Conque said. “So proud of our team. [We] won the game in all three phases.”

Wynrick Smothers hit Dominque Croom in the end zone, putting the Bears ahead for good. The extra point extended the Bears’ lead to 24-20 with 1:17 left in the game.

“We’ve worked a whole bunch of two minute offense this year, and it paid off on both sides of the ball,” Conque said.

The Bearkats took over on their 15-yard line, driving to the UCA 24 with three seconds left before throwing the key interception.

Although there was only a few seconds left in the game when the play started, it seemed to last for an eternity for the Bears.

“I was elated,” Conque said. “It seemed like 10 seconds.”

The Bears faced a 20-10 deficit, with the ball and 5:24 remaining.

The offense completed an eight-play, 75-yard drive, drawing the Bears within three with just over three minutes left. Smothers capped off the drive on a broken pass play, scoring on a 17-yard run.

“I was actually looking for my running back and somehow felt the pressure coming from my backside,” Smothers said. “I was going to step up and still look to throw it, but I saw I had space, so I just took off and kind of wiggled my way through there.

“I knew I had to get into the end zone, because it’s tough going against Sam Houston State trying to get a score.”