UCA piled up 352 yards but cashed in just once in four red-zone visits during a 14-9 homecoming loss Saturday.
UCA landed four first-place votes and the No. 1 spot in the UAC poll while two players earned preseason honors.
Central Arkansas forced overtime with 15 seconds left, but UTRGV needed one snap to win 30-27 on Saturday in Conway.
After five road-heavy weeks, the Bears open three-game homestand on Saturday against UT Rio Grande Valley at Estes Stadium.
