#UACFOOTBALL - Austin Peay and Central Arkansas both opened their United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football tenures with victories on Saturday night as part of five wins for league squads. EKU toppled a nationally-ranked opponent while Southern Utah and Tarleton each notched home wins.

The Bears used an explosive offensive performance in handing visiting Abilene Christian a 52-17 loss on "The Stripes" and the Govs rallied from 20-7 down with a pair of interceptions and a game-deciding safety in defeating Stephen F. Austin, 22-20, in their first appearance in the Lone Star state.

After dropping a heartbreaker last week in the final minute, the Colonels bounced back and got a thrilling win of their own when Patrick Nations drilled a career-long 46 yard field goal as time expired to secure the 41-38 victory over No. 16/20 ranked Southeast Missouri.

Southern Utah collected their first win of the season with a 37-17 decision in the Thunderbirds home opener, while Tarleton rounded out the group of successful performances by besting Southwest Baptist for the Texans third win of the season.

UAC RESULTS | SEPT. 23
*Austin Peay 22, Stephen F. Austin 20 | Boxscore
*Central Arkansas 52, Abilene Christian 17 | Boxscore
EKU 41, #16/20 Southeast Missouri 38 | Boxscore
Southern Utah 37, Western Illinois 17 | Boxscore
Tarleton 27, Southwest Baptist 13 | Boxscore
UT Martin 37, North Alabama 21 | Boxscore
Missouri State 59, Utah Tech 14 | Boxscore

* = UAC Game
NOTE: Game stories linked to UAC winners

TOP PERFORMANCES
Offense
Jermiah Dobbins (Abilene Christian) | 13 rushes for 60 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions for 16 yards
Jevon Jackson (Austin Peay) | 27 rushes for 197 yards, 1 TD; 4 rushes for 21 yards, 1 TD
Shunderrick Powell (Central Arkansas) | 23 rushes for 256 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions for 25 yards, 1 TD
Braedon Sloan (EKU) | 14 rushes for 122 yards, 2 TDs; 7 receptions for 51 yards
Noah Walters (North Alabama) | 30-of-52 passing for 286 yards, 3 TDs
Justin Miller (Southern Utah) | 24-of-35 for 242 yards, 2 TDs; 5 rushes for 13 yards
Kylon Harris (Stephen F. Austin) | 8 receptions for 108 yards, 1 TD
Benjamin Omayebu (Tarleton) | 9 receptions for 99 yards
Beau Sparks (Utah Tech) | 5 receptions for 31 yards

Defense
Darius Moore (Abilene Christian) | 9 tackles (5 solo); 1 TFL
Jevon McIver Jr. (Austin Peay) | 11 tackles (8 solo); 1 Forced fumble
TaMuarion Wilson (Central Arkansas) | 6 tackles (5 solo); 2 TFL; 2 PBU
Nic Cheeley (EKU) | 10 tackles (8 solo)
Edwin White-Schultz (North Alabama) | 10 tackles (6 solo); 1 TFL; 1 Fumble recovery; 1 PBU
Kohner Cullimore (Southern Utah) | 6 tackles (5 solo); 2.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks; 1 QBH 
Aaron Sears (Stephen F. Austin) | 10 tackles (3 solo)
Devin Sterling (Tarleton) | 8 tackles (3 solo); 2.5 TFL; 1 PBU
Jagger Williams (Utah Tech) | 8 tackles (4 solo); 1 Forced fumble and recovery