Acri: Don't Blink, You Might Miss Something Special at UCA

That phrase "Don't blink, you might miss something" describes a drive through many of the small towns tucked away along highways and country roads in The Natural State. It's also a theme that fits the University of Central Arkansas football team these days.

For example, the UCA broadcast team and many in the crowd were caught off guard as the Bears opened the 2007 campaign with a 58-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage that was caught by ... the fullback.

Big plays and creative formations abound when coach Clint Conque, offensive coordinator Todd Cooley and senior quarterback Nathan Brown work in harmony. Unfortunately for defenses, that happens a lot on game day.

UCA's offensive substitution pattern is more akin to a hockey line change than what's typically seen on the gridiron. Several times a game and often several times in the same series, a handful of receivers and backs swap out with teammates between plays. Perhaps nowhere in the country do observers use the rosters that come in their programs more than when watching the Bears.

The frequent changes earn play-by-play announcer Steve Sullivan a pat on the back for keeping up with who's in and who's out. An almost secondary part of his role is to follow the action and accurately convey the play of the game. He gets additional credit for doing so with unbridled charisma.

It's easy to be enthusiastic about a Bears offense that averaged more than 33 points and 450 yards a game last year. Returning are top rusher Brent Grimes and the six leading receivers from a corps that came in largely inexperienced and unheralded but performed admirably in 2007. An offensive line that allowed only 14 sacks in more than 400 pass attempts is also intact from last year. The last, but clearly not least, component on this side of the ball is the Southland's Offensive Player of the Year, Nathan Brown. The much-heralded star completed almost 68 percent of his passes for more than 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Brown can make all the throws, coolly call his own plays in the two-minute offense and make great decisions even with defenders in his face, but his greatest asset comes from within. He may be a Bear, but Brown plays with tiger's heart.