Bowling Green, Ky. - Central Arkansas racked up 407 yards of total offense and scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Western Kentucky University football team 28-7 Saturday night at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

 The loss dropped the Hilltoppers to 0-3 on the season, while Central Arkansas evened its record at 1-1.

 "First of all, we played a very, very good football team tonight. They are going to win a lot of football games," said Hilltopper head coach David Elson. "In the first half, I was pleased that we were five-of-nine on third down, but defensively, we found ourselves trying to stop them on third-and-short too many times. We just did not get it done. We've got to do a better job preparing."

 After falling behind 14-0 late in the second quarter, the Hilltoppers were able to close out the half with a 15-play scoring drive right before intermission. The drive - which covered 77 yards - appeared to be stalled when WKU was stopped on third down, but a holding call on Central Arkansas prior to the punt on fourth down gave the Toppers new life. The Hilltoppers converted three third downs on the drive, including the scoring play as Brandon Smith found the end zone from four yards out to make it a 14-7 game as the teams went into the locker room.

 The Bears outgained WKU 188-143 in the first half, picking up 117 of those yards on the ground. The first Central Arkansas score of the game came via the rush, as Leonard Ceaser broke free for a 51-yard touchdown run with 14:08 to go in the second quarter, capping off a five-play, 70-yard drive.

 After UCA recovered a Hilltopper fumble for the second time in the half, it set up its second scoring drive of the quarter with three pass completions in four attempts to move the ball down to the WKU 17. The Bears were able to keep the drive alive when Brent Grimes converted a 4th-and-2 play with an eight-yard rush, and Robbie Park found Preston Echols for a six-yard scoring pass as Central Arkansas opened up a 14-0 lead before WKU put a touchdown on the board right before the half.

 The Bears delivered a big blow late in the third quarter, as on a 3rd-and-6 play Park connected with Darrius McNeal on for a 73-yard touchdown pass with 39 seconds left in the quarter, opening up a 21-7 UCA lead entering the final quarter of play.

 UCA provided a final dagger with 8:37 to play as Grimes capped off a 46-yard drive with an 18-yard scoring run to stretch the lead to the final margin of 28-7.

 For the second straight game, Smith led the Hilltoppers in rushing as he carried the ball 16 times for 59 yards. He was also 8-for-22 passing for 66 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Kawaun Jakes came in and completed 9-of-14 passes for 77 yards. Marcus Vasquez led the Topper receivers with four catches for 55 yards. Defensively, Thomas Majors paced WKU with nine tackles.

 Parks was 18-for-12 passing for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Bears, while Ceaser and Grimes rushed for 91 and 81 yards, respectively, and a touchdown each.

 The Hilltoppers hit the road to face Navy next Saturday (Sept. 26) at 2:30 p.m. (CST). They will return home on Oct. 10 to open Sun Belt Conference play against Florida International.