November 26, 2005 doesn't seem so long ago. The events of the days leading up to the game, the day of the game, and the game itself are still fresh in the mind. The astonishment of the early 28-7 deficit. The amazement and joy that came with 31 consecutive points by the good guys. The sinking feeling as the Lions regained the momentum. And then the catatonic state that overtook Estes Stadium when Yuta Fukuda lined up for that fateful field goal. The vivid recollection of several UCA seniors collapsing on various spots along the field, weeping and wailing in a fashion reminiscent of a battleground. The sheer anguish on their faces as the tears came.

It all still seems like yesterday.

But tonight, with the kickoff of a new season, the first as a Division I program, it all goes away.

Though it ended in painful fashion painfully close to a national championship, 2005 was a season to remember ... just not right now. It's the start of the 2006 season, and the Bears begin their quest as a Division I team with new hopes and goals that have little to do with the Division II era – save tonight's opponent, the familiar old foes from Henderson State.

With the battle against the Reddies just a few hours out, it's time to take a look at this year's Bears and what to expect from them in 2006.

SCHEDULE

Having had my nose stuck in Division II football the last few years, I'm not fully up to speed on my Division I-AA opponents just yet. I recognize the names of the teams, but recognize the names of few players. It's going to be a big learning process for me, you, and just about every other fan out there. So I would be lying if I told you I had thoroughly analyzed the rosters of UC-Davis, Illinois State, Missouri State, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, South Dakota State, Georgia Southern and so on.

Here's what I do know: it's a tough, tough road. Georgia Southern is a perennial power, Illinois State has been ranked in the top 5-10 in national preseason polls, and Cal Davis is picked near the top of its conference.

And while Missouri State, South Dakota State, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin are all tabbed near the bottom of their respective conferences, they are established I-AA programs and there's something to be said for that. Those aren't cakewalks.

And yes, there are plenty of D-II's still sprinkled on the schedule but that's no guarantee, either. As a Division II school last year UCA took a decent I-AA Tennessee-Martin group to the wire and probably should have won. A few years ago UCA took down I-AA UAPB in the same venue as tonight's game. That has to give Henderson a glimmer of hope, knowing it's not unheard of for a D-II to knock off a I-AA in War Memorial.

So all that being said, it's not unreasonable to think a II could beat a I-AA. But what about this particular I-AA Bears team? Can a D-II team topple them? Henderson and Southern Arkansas are likely longshots. But keep an eye on South Dakota. If any of the Division II teams are going to upset the Bears, they might be the ones to do it. Ranked in the Division II Top 10 and featuring a preseason all-american running back in Sefan Logan, they have gone 18-4 the last two years. That sounds to me like the basis for a good, solid program.

So what to make of it all? Without having ever seen much of the I-AA opponents and using previous viewings of I-AAs like UT-Martin, UAPB and Missouri State as a general gauge, here's what I can come up with:

UCA should roll through Henderson, SAU, Augustana and even South Dakota. No matter how good USD (SDU?) is, were UCA a D-II team they would be one of the top three, without question. For comparison's sake, Presbyterian – a team UCA manhandled last season – is a Top 5 team. The Bears should be better than they were a year ago, which should be plenty to get by South Dakota.

That gets you to four wins. But there are seven other games. What happens there?

I'd like to say the upstart Bears can storm the I-AA ranks and run the table and have a storybook 11-0 season that would have books written and movies made about it. But I can't, not realistically. I can't say it won't, either, but I don't feel comfortable yet making that call.

I have a feeling the two Southland games are winnable. I also fear that Illinois State and Georgia Southern might be too much to handle. I think Missouri State, South Dakota State and Cal-Davis could be swing games.

So just for the sake of making a random guess, I'll take wins over the four smaller schools, a split with the Southland teams, and one win in the MSU, SDSU and UCD group. That's 6-5. It could be 7-4 with a sweep over the SLC schools or getting two of the other three. So there's my range. 8-3 or better would be nice, but I don't know enough about all the teams to figure out a way to convince myself how UCA is better. So, I'll just trust that Georgia Southern and Illinois State deserve their lofty ranking and are too much at this time, and that at some point the grind of playing such high-caliber teams will take its toll on this developing I-AA team and cause a hiccup or two along the way.

But a winning season, even with a handful of Division II teams on the schedule, would be a fine way to get this voyage started.

OFFENSE

There are a bunch of key elements from last year's team missing, but they all got replaced with high quality parts. There shouldn't be much overall dropoff, but I do worry about the running game meeting last year's standards.

Quarterbacks
If Nathan Brown is and can stay healthy, there's no need to worry about this position. As far as I'm concerned, Brown is the best college quarterback in this state and already every bit as good as Zak Clark was as a senior. I'm totally sold. He showed a very steep learning curve a year ago, and displayed some amazing attributes. He's a year older and a year more confident and carries himself like a 5th-year senior. He knows the offense, knows his receivers, and knows the team is his. He's got a plus arm, typically makes pretty good decisions and he's got enough mobility to keep himself out of trouble. And the thing is, when he screws up he learns from it instantly. He figures out in a hurry how to correct his errors, and that's a valuable asset.

If he does go down, Robby Park is next in line. Park was a Stephen F. Austin signee fresh out of high school, redshirted, then went on a two-year mission with the Latter Day Saints. Having not played since 2002, he's got some rust to knock off for sure. But he does have some talent and a nice frame at 6-3, 205. Hopefully he won't be thrown into the fire too much too soon, and will have ample opportunity to shake off the rust late in games in low-pressure situations.

Running Backs
This is a big question mark. Not necessarily a weakness, just a question mark. There is no proven quantity like Kentrel Rogers, Willie Hopson or even Bernard Scott. The horses that have been back there the last few years are all gone for one reason or another, be it graduation, eligibility issues or God-knows-what.

What is back there is Ross Brown, who has looked lightning quick and extremely shifty during the fall camp. In agility drills he has looked head and shoulders above every other back, which is about the only time the diminutive Brown (5-9, 186) gets that distinction. And that, ultimately, has been the knock on Ross. He's small. But now he has the opportunity to prove that lacking in size doesn't mean lacking in ability or endurance. He's been waiting his turn and it's here.

But he's going to have help. Freshmen Leonard Caesar and Brent Grimes are going to factor into the mix and get some carries, because you couldn't get through a Gulf South Conference slate with one back and you sure aren't going to get by with just one playing who UCA is playing this year. So a freshman or two will have to step up.

Brown is probably the fastest, most elusive back and I would bet just as strong as anybody, but Grimes has a tremendous overall package. He's essentially Brown's clone (5-9, 185) size-wise, and while he might be a step slower he has great balance and runs smooth and under control. And he built a heck of a resume at Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge. In case anybody has forgotten since signing day, Grimes had 3,178 career rushing yards, scored 45 TDs, averaged 8 ypc, had 30 receptions for 575 yards and 6 TDs, was a 1st Team all-state selection in Louisiana's 4A classification (and they probably don't have two dozen like Arkansas) on a state champion team, and was the MVP of that championship game. He also ran for the state runner-up 4x100 meter relay team and was the 4A powerlifting state runner-up. That sure looks good on paper, and I figure he'll put up a similar image on the field.

Fullbacks
Darren Shaw is gone, but Joe Walker is back to carry on the grandfatherly tradition they've established at the fullback spot. Walker brings plenty of experience, some good hands, and some outstanding blocking ability. He had some injuries in the preseason, so his ability to stay healthy will be something to keep an eye on. But when he's out there, the Bears are fine. He's bigger and stronger than he was last year, and that has me excited for the first corner blitz of the season.

Alongside Walker are two guys new to the program – transfers Zach Logan (Vanderbilt, Rivercrest High) and Steven Moore (Ark. Tech, Conway High). Logan was a bigtime runner in high school, being the main cog in some dominant Rivercrest teams, and Moore had a stellar career at Conway. Both guys should be able to contribute and will keep the Bears loaded at fullback for the next few years.

Offensive Line
The depth might not be where the coaching staff would like it to be, but the front-line guys are a very good, very experienced group that should do a fine job of protecting Brown and hopefully be effective in paving paths for the running backs. Mountainous Ronnie Lee returns, along with David Far, Jeremy Ford and Justin Jones. Josh Restum, who missed all of last year with injury, is back at the Center position. Brad Gordon, who played a big role on last year's team, is again in the mix and some redshirt and true freshmen will be relied upon.

Wide Receivers
Michael Norvell - gone. Ben Faires - gone. Che Jones - half gone. With UCA's all-time leading receiver now on the sidelines/in the press box as a graduate assistant and second-leading returning receiver still recovering from physical ailments, it looked like wide receiver was going to be another question mark for the Bears. Obviously, all-world Aaron Fairooz is back and looking better than ever, but you can't do it with just one.

Eric Ware has ridiculous speed, but he's been snake-bitten and has never really had the opportunity to show what he has. Cameron Kinard is another burner, but another guy who hasn't had the chance to really show what all he can bring to the table. He missed time in the spring after some guy's face broke his hand, so he wasn't able to fully capitalize on the offseason. That being said, he's going to be counted upon this year moreso than last year. He's got some speed, some hands, but not a lot of size.

Brandon Payne went off and got suspended, so he's sure not going to be counted on tonight and who knows what his role will be the rest of the season. He's not the fastest guy, nor the tallest guy, nor does he have the greatest hands. But he is pretty fast, pretty tall, and so on. He's not going to be the gamebreaker, but should give the Bears another good-sized target who can get downfield.

Of the freshman class, Vincent Starwood had by far the coolest name, but we'll have to wait til next year to hear it called over the PA as he's busy getting fitted for his red shirt. That leaves David Robinson as the freshman most likely to answer duty's call this season. The Admiral looks like a freshman for sure. He's not Nicole Ritchie-thin, but he won't be confused with Ronnie Lee anytime soon. But he'll be fine in due time, and if called on in a pinch should be able to help the Bears this year.

And then you have transfers Cedric Logan and Chijuan Mack. These guys are tremendous additions and both have shown an aptitude for the offense and will both step right in and make significant contributions from the outset.

When Jones returns, spreading him out along with Fairooz and those two guys will give UCA as good a set of receivers as folks around Conway have seen. With Nate Brown flinging the ball around, the aerial shows reminiscent of Conque's earlier days in Conway could very well return.

And I can't wait to see it.

Tight Ends
Austin Cade was a lethal receiving threat a year ago, never caring to drop a shoulder and plow over half a defense. He'll be sorely missed, but the Bears have filled the hole nicely with the addition of junior college transfer Charles Twilley and University of Arkansas transfer Marc Winston. Twilley showed in the spring he's every bit the bull Cade was, and Winston has stepped in and showed that he and his large frame should prove a valuable asset in the passing game – particularly in goalline situations. Don't be surprised to see the Bears roll out a few 2-tight end sets this year ... and throw. A good bit.

DEFENSE

Last year's defense was the best UCA has had in quite some time and, despite the loss of guys like Cory Cangelosi and Greg Mills, this year's unit should be even better. There's tons of experience at linebacker and in the secondary, and I'm not sure where you'll find a better set of defensive ends than right here in Conway.

Line
On the ends, Jacob Ford, Jeremy Pittman and Lawrence Atkinson sure pass the airport test. They get off the plane, and you're impressed. But better yet, they get on the field and you're still impressed. Then they get on the quarterback, and you're impressed more still. These guys will wreak havoc all year long, no doubt about it. They're all stronger than they were a year ago, and they just look primed to destroy people – particularly Ford.

On the inside, Caleb Bateman has been a solid player in the past and now the Brothers Barksdale (Kendrell, Lendrell) are there to help him, along with Uriah Perry. This is the most unknown factor in the defense, so keep an eye on how they perform. Also, watch out for giant Lane Friewald (6-6, 316) plugging the middle at some point.

Linebackers
Kelvin Horne, a senior, was fourth on the team in tackles last year with 67. And he's second on the depth chart entering tonight's game. That's how good UCA's depth is at linebacker this year. With the return of Calvin Dumas, who missed all of last year with an injury, the Bears have five senior linebackers. Dumas, Horne, Lance Boykins and Ryan Taylor join Quentin Maxfield, who will break into UCA's Top 10 for career tackles this season. That's a lot of tackles returning, and a lot of experience that will help tremendously as the competition stiffens up in 2006.

Secondary
Another place where a ton of senior leadership runs free. Jasper Johnson, bigger, stronger and faster than ever, is back for one more go-round and I'm putting the Over/Under on the first time he leaves another player's internal organ on the field at Game 5.

Seniors Leroy Hamilton and Jack Bailey man the other safety spot, giving the Bears two more guys who have been through the battles and seen plenty of live action.

At the corners, longtime starters Ahmad Brown, Gerald Norman and Dathan Jackson are back, along with transfer Tristan Jackson who has worked himself into a starting job alongside Brown. There aren't any giants in the group, but there's all kinds of experience, and knowing how to do the right thing can more than make up for an inch or two, a couple pounds, or .2 of a second.

The ends are going to get in the backfield, and the linebackers are going to provide good support. The safeties are going to be back there waiting. The key will be the interior linemen getting the upper hand and keeping the pressure up, keeping the corners from having to stay in coverage for extended periods.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bears won a lot of ballgames and scored a lot of points thanks largely in part to their special teams play a year ago. The punt and kick coverage teams did an outstanding job and I would expect that to be similar this year with several of those guys back in action again.

On returns, Cedric Logan will handle the duties there, taking over for the fearless Cory Cangelosi. Cangelosi would return absolutely anything, and was pretty surehanded. Logan is a little faster and explosive and should be a bigger threat for the homerun.

Kickoff returns will be Kinard and Hamilton, two speedy guys who have been back there plenty of times before. They hit top speed as quick as anybody on the team, and they go North. Hamilton lives for special teams play and relishes any time he can get the ball in his hands, and Kinard is a receiver so he's no stranger to moving with the ball.

James Paul is tabbed to handle both placekicking and punting duties for the time being. Muhammed Spreco can't seem to kick the injury bug, and hasn't been able to consistently practice and produce. If Paul retains both duties full time, it will be interesting to see how his leg holds up and if hit in any way inhibits him either on punts or kicks. He's a soccer player by trade, so hopefully his leg is in plenty of shape.

Looking up and down the roster, you'd obviously like to have guys like Kentrel Rogers, Willie Hopson, Jon Rodriguez, Austin Cade, Greg Mills, Mike Norvell, etc. back, but you can't so there's no use in thinking of it. When comparing what's here now to what was here a year ago, I think the situation is better just about everywhere. Running back might be down a step, and you're going to miss having a huge guy like Rodriguez on the O-line and Greg Mills on the D-line, and it's tough for anybody to take over for Cory Cangelosi at safety. The guys at those spots now might turn out to be better eventually, but I wouldn't bet the farm on them being to that caliber right away. Hopefully, for the Bears' sake, they'll get there in a hurry.

They've got a pretty good learning exercise in about 4 hours and 35 minutes.

PREDICTION
UCA - 44
HSU - 13