All four D1 football programs in Arkansas face off in pair of Saturday matchups

CONWAY, Ark. – If you like Arkansas college football, then your Saturday should be packed this weekend.

Football is in full swing in Arkansas like never before, as all four Division I schools will play against one another this Saturday.

The University of Central Arkansas Bears will play against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions. 

Alonzo Hampton, head coach of the UAPB Golden Lions, said he understands the magnitude of what this Saturday means to the state.

“If you’re not in Conway, Arkansas, on Saturday, there is something wrong with you,” Coach Hampton said. 

The game is at UCA, just about 30 miles away from War Memorial Stadium, where Arkansas and Arkansas State will kick off two hours before.

“It’s fun for the state of Arkansas,” added Hampton. 

UCA’s head football coach, Nathan Brown, echoes Coach Hampton as they are both Arkansas natives. 

“There’s a little bit of pride involved when you play games like this, there’s a little bit of bragging rights,” emphasized Brown as he said games like this really help with in-state recruiting. 

Brown says it’s such a unique Saturday for all four programs to be playing in such close proximity.

“If you are a football fan, I don’t know how much better it gets than this in the fall,” said Brown. 

This is the second year in a row that UCA and UAPB have played. Last year, UCA won the matchup 56-17.