Sophomore QB gets the start for home opener

CONWAY -- Hayden Hildebrand walked off the grass practice field at the University of Central Arkansas earlier this week feeling a bit more worn down than usual.

"It's a good tired," the sophomore quarterback said. "But it's different for sure."

Hildebrand spent fall camp and the first four weeks of the season alternating snaps with senior Taylor Reed in practices. The rotation was almost dead even, he said, but Hildebrand took all of the snaps with the No. 1 offense this week while Reed watched wearing a sling after suffering a shoulder injury in last week's 49-21 victory at Northwestern (La.) State.

Coach Steve Campbell listed Reed as "day-to-day," but Hildebrand is likely to get his first career start Saturday in the Bears' home opener against Abilene Christian (2-1, 2-0) at Estes Stadium.

"I hate to see that for Taylor. He's a great player," Hildebrand said. "Any time somebody goes down, you hate to see that happen. But Coach Campbell always talk about the next guy up, so just got to go in and try to get the job done."

That message has been especially true with the Bears' quarterbacks the past two seasons.

Campbell and offensive coordinator Nathan Brown used Reed and Ryan Howard last season as the two rotated and filled in for each other while both dealt with injuries.

This season was going to be no different. Reed was named the starter coming out of camp, but Brown said the competition was "neck and neck" and the plan was to get Hildebrand involved in the offense. He played one series in the opener at Samford but left with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the Oklahoma State game.

Brown said Hildebrand was likely going to play in the first half last week anyway, but it ended up being for good after Reed injured his throwing shoulder on a 54-yard run in the first quarter. Reed stayed in as Blake Veasley scored on a 1-yard run on the next play to give the Bears an 18-0 lead, but Hildebrand played the rest of the game.

The sophomore from Bossier City, La., didn't show any nerves. He led UCA on an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive on his first series. Hildebrand led three more touchdown drives and another drive ended with a field goal as he completed 12 of 16 passes for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns without an interception.

"You've got to have two ready to roll," Campbell said. "Fortunately, we've got Hayden and he does a great job. That's why we like to play two."

Brown, a former Bears quarterback, credits their evaluation for being able to have two ready to play.

"You can't miss on a quarterback," Brown said. "If you miss on a quarterback, it could set you back two or three years."

Brown was the lead recruiter on Hildebrand under former coach Clint Conque. He said he went from Conway to Bossier City three times to see Hildebrand play football and once to watch him play basketball. The trips convinced Hildebrand to sign with the Bears over Northwestern State and McNeese State, both Southland opponents located closer to his home.

"He was my No. 1 guy from the first time I saw him his junior year," Brown said. "It was easy to see quick that he was going to be a good football player."

Campbell and Brown will likely get their first looks in a full game Saturday night when Hildebrand tries to help keep the Bears (1-2, 1-0) unbeaten in Southland play.

"It's exciting, but at the same time you've got to stay focused and prepare each week," Hildebrand said. "Next week is the same week. I think we have a good chance. Whether [Reed] is back or not, I think we have a good chance in conference."

Sports on 10/02/2015