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ENTRY: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 2:35 p.m. CST

IN-STATE ATHLETES LAND OFFERS

UCA has sent out offers to a pair of in-state athletes for the Class of 2014.

Three-star linebacker Jarvis Cooper from West Memphis and Tight End Aaron Hamaker from Little Rock Catholic are currently the only in-state prospects with offers from the Bears.

Cooper, (6-1, 255) also holds offers from Arkansas State and Memphis, while Hamaker (6-3, 272) holds additional offers from Troy and Wyoming.

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ENTRY: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 12:35 p.m. CST

PURPLE DEFEATS GRAY 17-7 IN SPRING GAME

CONWAY - The Purple team earned a 17-7 victory over the Gray team Saturday night in the 2013 Purple vs. Gray game at Estes Stadium. It was a game with a few bright spots, in addition to a few not so bright spots for some of the seasoned veterans of the team.

Head coach Clint Conque was disappointed with several critical mistakes made by his teams during the scrimmage, but was also proud of the effort put together by the defenses over the course of the game.

"There were only four scores in the game," said Conque. "So I thought the defense had the better day today. Certainly I believe anytime you split the teams up the continuity and the consistency is going to be challenged. With that said, I thought some of the older guys who have played a lot of football for us made a lot of critical mistakes in some critical situations. It's just not acceptable, and we've got to get that fixed."

Fumbles are most likely some of the critical mistakes Conque spoke of, and the Gray team lost two to the purple team.

Running back Willie Matthews and quarterback Wynrick Smothers both lost fumbles for the Gray team, while DeAndre Taylor fumbled for the Purple team. Taylor was able to retain possession of his dropped ball.

Despite the mistakes, the Gray team was able to take an early lead with 4:04 remaining in the first quarter as Smothers connected with Dezmin Lewis for a 24-yard touchdown. Eddie Camara's kick would give the Gray team an early 7-0 advantage. The five play 45 yard drive took 2:09 off the clock.

However, it didn't take long for the Purple team to answer.

One the ensuing drive, the Purple team took just two plays to score, as running back Blake Veasley found a hole on the right side of the line, and burst through it untouched for a 55-yard touchdown.

Camara's kick tied the game at seven all with 2:56 to play in the first quarter.

The Purple team would force a three-and-out, then strike again almost immediately as Ryan Howard connected with a wide open Courtney Whitehead for a 55-yard touchdown.

Jace Denker's PAT gave the Purple the 14-7 advantage with 11:53 remaining in the first half. The five play, 75-yard drive took just 2:08 off of the clock.

The final score of the game came on the last play of the first half as Eddie Camara connected on a 44-yard field goal to give the Purple team the 17-7 advantage.

The second half saw a defensive struggle, with several defensive players showing the coaching staff some things that they wanted to see.

"Bailey [McIver] made some plays today, said Conque. "Jonathan Woddard, Derrick Floyd. I like the way the defense ran to the ball all night. I thought Aum'Arie Wallace made some real nice plays out there tonight, and that was encouraging. We've got some good, young athletic nickel safety type guys, and I thought they flew around and tackled well."

Conque also spoke about the play of his quarterbacks. Ryan Howard led the Purple team with 13 completions on 19 attempts for 125 yards and a touchdown, while Smothers led the Gray team with 19 completions on 28 attempts for 165 yards, two interceptions, and a touchdown.

"I thought Ryan Howard had an excellent game," said Conque. "He just continues to improve throwing the football, and certainly we will look at the tape and evaluate, but I liked the way Ryan played. I didn't think Wynrick played as sharp. I think he was working with some different receivers and some different things, but he made some mistakes that you don't need to make in the red zone. We will look at the tape and evaluate it, and set a depth chart, then go into the next phase of our program."

As a team, the Purple team picked up nine first downs, and 105 yards rushing on 22 attempts. They went 13 of 21 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown, for a total of 230 yards of offense. They were penalized six times for 58 yards.

The Gray team picked up 11 first downs, and ran the ball 20 times for 42 yards. They were 22 of 32 passing for 188 yards, with two interceptions, and a touchdown. They were penalized four times for 35 yards.

The Gray team won the time of possession, as they held onto the ball for 27:12, while the Purple team had the ball for 20:03.

Purple Team Stat Leaders

Passing: Ryan Howard 13 of 19 for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Rushing: Blake Veasley six carries for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Receiving: Courtney Whitehead four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Gray Team Stat Leaders

Passing: Wynrick Smothers 19 of 28 for 165 yards, two interceptions, and a touchdown.

Rushing: Willie Matthews 15 carries for 36 yards.

Receiving: Dezmin Lewis four receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.

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ENTRY: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 1:35 a.m. CST

CONQUE DISCUSSES 2013 UCA SIGNING CLASS

UCA signed 23 players to include six offensive linemen, four defensive backs, four wide receivers, three defensive tackles, two running backs, one punter, one defensive end, one athlete, and one quarterback.

UCA head coach Clint Conque took a few minutes following his press conference Wednesday to discuss his 2013 signing class.

$$$$ CLICK HERE TO VIEW AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CLINT CONQUE. $$$$

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ENTRY: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 4:25 p.m. CST

DB GEORGE ODUM COMMITS

InsideUCA.com has learned that Millington, TN. defensive back George Odum has committed to the Bears.

Odum previously played linebacker before moving to safety for his senior season. He is 6-2, 185, and runs a 4.45 forty-yard-dash. Some reports have him listed in the 4.3 range, but I haven't been able to verify that.

His senior stats are below. I couldn't find a highlight video on him on Hudl or Youtube.

73.5 tackles
5 tackles for loss
5 breakups
3 FF
4 FR
3 INT (2 returned for TD)
20.6 yds per punt return (1 returned for TD)
2 receptions for 72 yds (1 TD)

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ENTRY: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 3:45 p.m. CST

RB KELTON WARREN COMMITS

InsideUCA.com has learned that Arlington, TX. running back Kelton Warren has given his commitment to the Bears.

Warren is 5-10, 185, and runs a 4.5 forty-yard-dash.

I will attempt to contact Warren later this evening. Until then, his junior highlight video is below.

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ENTRY: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 8:15 a.m. CST

COUNTDOWN TO NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

Tomorrow is the big day! By this time in the morning, we should be hearing about athletes who have faxed in their National Letters of Intent to the Bears.

I do have a couple of updates for you this morning though.

It was reported elsewhere that Conway Christian quarterback Tanner Stevenson had committed to UCA. In a sense that is true, but he has committed to play for the Bears as a walk on. He will be a non-scholarship player at this time.

Also, after trying all weekend to get in touch with him, Hayden Hildebrand sent me a text this morning and stated that he is 100% solid to UCA despite other schools coming onto him very hard in this past week.

I'll have more throughout the day as I get it. Expect a couple of late commitments!

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ENTRY: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 9:15 a.m. CST

SUNDAY MORNING RECRUITING UPDATE

Here are a few tidbits to start your morning. I will have more after church services.

Osceola running back Korliss Marshall has decommitted from UCA and committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. His offer there is as a safety, and he is expected to have to red shirt a year to learn the position.

UCA did pick up a couple of commitments since last night's update though.

St. Louis Riverview ATH Darrien Daniels and Southaven, MS wide receiver Jose Moore have given their commitments to the Bears.

Daniels held offers from Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Martin in addition to UCA, while Moore held significant interest from Marshall.

CLICK HERE for Daniels' highlights, and CLICK HERE for Moore's highlights.

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ENTRY: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 8:35 p.m. CST

WELLMAKER SOLID TO UCA

Lake Charles, LA safety Tirell Wellmaker committed to UCA several weeks ago, but McNeese State has really turned up the pressure on the two-star prospect who is in their own back yard.

How does Wellmaker feel about that?

"McNeese is coming on hard," said Wellmaker. "But I am solid to UCA. I feel like I made a good decision when I picked them."

He spoke about some of the things that sold him on UCA.

"I had a great time on my visit," said Wellmaker. "There was a great family atmosphere, and they have a winning program. I enjoyed the campus when I was there, and saw that they have a great football program and great academics."

"I've heard the game day atmosphere is great also," he added. "A few people have told me it can really get insane."

He also spoke about his goals after National Signing Day.

"I'm just going to work hard to stay in shape," said Wellmaker. "I'm going to do a lot of lifting, and do really good in school and keep my grades up. I'm just going to do everything I can do to be a good student the rest of the year."

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ENTRY: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10:35 a.m. CST

FINAL PUSH BEFORE NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

UCA head coach Clint Conque and his staff are making a push on the final weekend before National Signing Day for several athletes in order to fill the 2013 recruiting class.

St. Louis athlete Darrien Daniels (5-9, 170, 4.5) is one of the main athletes being targeted this weekend. CLICK HERE for his highlights.

Southaven, MS wide receiver Jose Moore is taking an official visit to UCA this weekend in addition to Little Rock McClellan ATH Akee Johnson. Be sure to CLICK HERE for Moore's highlights.

With former commit L.J. Wallace deciding to pursue baseball for UCA, the Bears need another wide receiver commit, and Moore and/or Johnson could fit the bill.

UCA fans could potentially hear about a new running back commit very soon as well.

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ENTRY: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 1:20 p.m. CST

2013 RECRUITING CLASS SHAPING UP NICELY

In the first installment of the InsideUCA.com blog, we take a look at the 2013 recruiting class for the Bears. Coach Clint Conque and his staff have done a tremendous job reeling in some quality athletes to add to an already impressive team.

Two young men, Jordan Kersh an offensive lineman from Hinds community college and Jonathan Harrison a kicked from Northeast Mississippi community college, have already signed National Letters of Intent with the Bears.

At this time, 15 other athletes are expected to sign on National Signing Day, while two are in limbo at this point.

The two in limbo include Osceola running back Korliss Marshall who has been offered by the Arkansas Razorbacks, and Pulaski Academy wide receiver L.J. Wallace who has been offered by the Bears baseball team.

Wallace is expected to be a draft pick, so baseball is where he is leaning at this time, while Marshall has a decision to make between Arkansas and UCA. Does he want to play immediately as a running back for UCA, or does he want to redshirt a year and learn how to play defensive back for Arkansas? Look for that decision to be made soon, as he is visiting both campuses this weekend.

Several other in-state athletes are committed to the Bears and all are expected to sign.

Those players include Conway running back Jeff Anderson, Morrilton offensive lineman Gilberto Garcia, and Yellville-Summit offensive lineman Stockton Mallett.

Garcia was recently offered by New Mexico State on a recent visit, but told them thanks but no thanks. He will sign with the Bears.

Additionally, UCA has commitments from Haltom City, TX wide receiver Roman Gordon, Bossie City, LA quarterback Hayden Hildebrand, Springtown, TX defensive end Thomas Loving, Stephenville, TX offensive lineman Bryan Manley, Lewisville, TX defensive back Jordan Meyers, Memphis, TN defensive tackles Michael Moore and Terrence Partee, Duncanville, TX defensive tackle Jordan Tolliver, Lake Charles, LA defensive back Tirell Wellmaker, and Bastrop, LA wide receiver Jatavious Wilson.

Fernando Van Hook from Senetobia, MS is also committed. He is listed as a running back on Rivals.com, but was recruited as a defensive back. Additionally, Allen, TX offensive lineman Cade Camp gave his commitment to the Bears earlier this week.

There may also be a late surprise or two for this class, or, perhaps, a silent commitment. We will just have to wait and see!