The Bears finished tied for second a year ago and have plenty of top players returning. Some preseason publications had them in the top 25 in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA.

However, they were ranked fourth in a poll of Southland coaches behind McNeese State, Sam Houston State and Northwestern State.

“As a head coach, you use those things for motivation,” coach Clint Conque said. “When you get a little recognition around the country in a couple of top 25 polls, then you’re picked fourth in your league.”

Central Arkansas was second, behind only McNeese State, in a poll of Southland sports information directors. The Bears also had five players named to the preseason All-Southland first team: quarterback Nathan Brown, offensive linemen Brad Gordon and Lane Freiwald, tight end Marquez Branson and defensive lineman Taylor Scott.

This article was published Tuesday, July 22, 2008.

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