Last Updated 1:04 AM, August 30, 2020
NCAA.com

Central Arkansas edges Austin Peay in first game of college football season

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4:48 am, August 30, 2020

How Central Arkansas came back to beat Austin Peay

Central Arkansas rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat Austin Peay 24-17 in the first DI college football game this season. The Bears outgained the Governors 296-170 in the second half, going ahead for good of Breylin Smith's 10-yard strike to Lujuan Winningham with 34 seconds to go. Austin Peay was driving in the closing seconds before Tamaurian Wilson intercepted Jeremiah Oatsvall to seal the win.

Saturday's contest was also the first collegiate sporting since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some ways this game was different:

  • Capacity at the Cramton Bowl was 2,000 fans. Spectators wore masks entering and walking around the stadium.
  • Team benches were extended from 50 to 70 feet.
  • Spirit squads sat in the stands and bands did not travel.
  • Coaches and players wore masks or gaiters on the sidelines.
  • Teams used disposable cups for water instead of bottles. 
4:36 am, August 30, 2020

Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 | Final

The Breylin Smith to Lujuan Winningham connection was the difference for a second year in a row as Central Arkansas knocked off Austin Peay 24-17 in the first DI college football game this season.

Here are the final stats:

  • Yards: Austin Peay 332, Central Arkansas 458
  • Turnovers: Austin Peay 2, Central Arkansas 3
  • Penalties: Austin Peay 8-77, Central Arkansas 7-59
  • QBs: Oatsvall (Austin Peay) 14-for-30, 181 yards, 1 INT; Smith (UCA): 26-for-49, 283 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
  • Lujuan Winningham (UCA): game-winning receiving TD with :34 remaining
4:30 am, August 30, 2020

Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 | 0:34 4Q

Breylin Smith wastes no time getting Central Arkansas back in front, finding Lujuan Winningham for the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. If that sounds familiar to UCA fans, it should. These two linked up for the game-winning score against Austin Peay a year ago and may have just done it again.
4:17 am, August 30, 2020

Austin Peay 17, Central Arkansas 16 | 1:40 4Q

Austin Peay has its points since the second quarter and regains the lead with just under two minutes to play. Jeremiah Oatsvall capped a 7-play drive by plunging into the endzone on a one-yard run after keeping the ball on an option call. Despite starting at their own 40-yard line, the Governors worked upfield quickly after Oatsvall found Jay Parker for 43 yards to begin the drive.
4:03 am, August 30, 2020

Central Arkansas 16, Austin Peay 10 | 7:44 4Q

Central Arkansas extends the lead behind the leg of Hayden Ray, whose 32-yarder make puts him at 3-for-3 against Austin Peay. The Bears benefitted from another short field in the second half, starting their drive at midfield after a short punt from Jeremiah Oatsvall. 
3:37 am, August 30, 2020

Central Arkansas 13, Austin Peay 10 | End 3Q

Crossley's touchdown a minute into the quarter put Central Arkansas ahead, but that it was it for points in the frame. UCA and Austin Peay combined for five punts in the third quarter. The Bears' were gaining momentum in Governor territory midway through the period before an off-target pitch from Breylin Smith was recovered by Austin Peay.
3:04 am, August 30, 2020

Central Arkansas 13, Austin Peay 10 | 14:00 3Q

Central Arkansas strikes quickly out of the break, taking their first lead of the game on a 34-yard touchdown run by Kierre Crossley. The Bears' running back picked up 51 total yards on the drive after Christian Richmond sparked the offense with a 39-yard return on the second half kickoff. 
2:44 am, August 30, 2020

How officials and media are social distancing at Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas

Practicing social distancing also impacts how officials and media work during college football. Take a look at a few examples here:

  • Per ESPN's broadcast, referees are using electronic whistles to officiate the game.
  • ESPN's Lauren Sisler conducted a socially-distant halftime interview with Austin Peay head coach Marquase Lovings.
2:32 am, August 30, 2020

Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 6 | Half

Austin Peay and Central Arkansas combine for three field goals in the second quarter as the Governors head to the locker room in front. Here are some numbers from the first half.

  • Yards: Austin Peay 162, Central Arkansas 162
  • Turnovers: Austin Peay 1, Central Arkansas 2
  • Penalties: Austin Peay 5-52, Central Arkansas 4-40
  • QBs: Oatsvall (Austin Peay) 5-for-9, 69 yards; Smith (UCA): 10-for-25, 92 yards, 2 INT
  • CJ Evans (Austin Peay) 75-yard rushing TD on first play of game
2:21 am, August 30, 2020

Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 6 | 3:38 2Q

After Austin Peay's punt team struggled to execute once again, Central Arkansas chips further into the lead with another field goal as Hayden Ray is good from 26 yards out. Austin Peay's defense came up big in the red zone, keeping UCA out of the endzone after holding the Bears to two yards on four plays after its special teams error.
2:10 am, August 30, 2020

Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 3 | 7:37 2Q

Central Arkansas is on the board after ending its first three drives with turnovers. Hayden Ray converted a 30-yard field goal to cap off a 12-play drive that lasted just over four minutes. Breylin Smith guided the Bears downfield with two chunk plays — a 27-yard completion to Jack Short and an 18-yard gain to Tyler Hudson.

2:09 am, August 30, 2020

Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 0 | 11:38 2Q

The Governors add to their lead as Grant Paulette converts on his first field goal attempt this season, splitting the uprights from 28 yards out. Paulette's kick capped a 6-play, 42-yard drive for Austin Peay. Oatsvall and Geordon Pollard linked up for nearly all of the drive's offense on one play with a 37-yard completion.

1:51 am, August 30, 2020

Social distancing at Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas

Here are some examples of social distancing we've seen during the 2020 FCS Kickoff:

In the stands

  • Fans are six feet apart throughout the Cramton Bowl, distanced from one another.
  • Cheerleaders are seated in the stands while wearing masks.

On the sidelines

  • The benches for each team were extended from 50 yards to 70 yards to allow for additional distancing.
    • Coaches and players on both teams have been seen wearing masks or gaiters while on the sidelines.
  • To eliminate the possibility of sharing water bottles, both teams are instead using disposable plastic cups for water. 
Social distancing in college football Austin Peay warms up for its season opener while wearing facemasks.

Austin Peay 7, Central Arkansas 0 | END 1Q

CJ Evans' 75-yard touchdown is the difference for Austin Peay after one quarter. Following Evans' massive run, yards were much harder to come by as Austin Peay and Central Arkansas combined for 56 total the rest of the quarter. UCA had two turnovers on downs for the quarter while Austin Peay mishandled a punt on fourth down. Both teams appear still looking to find a rhythm on offense.

1:08 am, August 30, 2020

Austin Peay 7, Central Arkansas 0 | 14:44 1Q

Austin Peay makes a huge statement on the first play of the season. Running back CJ Evans wastes no time in finding the end zone as the true freshman handles an option in the backfield and finds daylight down the left sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run on his first collegiate touch.