CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas have three more practices scheduled before Saturday's annual Purple-Gray Spring Game, and first-year head coach Nathan Brown has been pleased with what he's seen through 11 practices.

    The Bears ran 106 plays on Saturday in their final major tuneup before the Spring Game, which is set for 2 p.m. Saturday on The Stripes. The Bears will practice three more times before Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    Brown said the execution was good Saturday and several players stood out.
 
    "I think we protected the football better on offense,' said Brown, who has transitioned over from his offensive coordinator role to run the program. "And practice 11, you should have. I think we're getting the plays in and out, we're executing our offense and defense a little bit better than we have the prior two scrimmages. We're doing a lot of good things, lot of plays being made on both sides of the football.

    "But what I do like seeing is the efficiency. We're being more efficient with our movements, with knowing what to do, just moving forward. Very pleased with that.'
    
    Saturday's scrimmage was not a full-field scrimmage, but instead covered various different aspects of a game.

    "Had a lot of situational football today and I think that was a big point of emphasis today,' Brown said. "We had gone the open field stuff and seen who could block, tackle, make plays, but we wanted to see who could make plays on the goal line, who could make plays in the red zone, and coming out. 

    "So that was a big point of emphasis for today.'

    Brown noted the play of several positions, including running back, quarterback and the defensive front.

    "Those first three running backs, they have a chance to be a special group,' he said. "(Junior) Carlos Blackman, (sophomore) Kierre Crossley and (senior) Cedric Battle... they're playmakers. At times you have to reel them in a little because they try to make too big a play. But man, they're just really good football players.
 
    "And I think (sophomore quarterback) Breylin (Smith) continues to stand out. He's making smart decisions. He's just got a feel for the game that's hard to coach. He's got a feel in the pocket, and he'll shovel pass and do some different things. (Redshirt freshman receiver) Lujuan Winningham made some big plays today. I knew he could be a bright star. He has a bright future as long as he continues to mature, we'll see big things out of him next year. 

    "And on defense, our defensive front has a chance to be special. Led by (junior end) Chris Terrell, (sophomore tackle) Austin Norris... (sophomore end) J.W. Jones continues to flash, and that's good to see him grow up. Then you have (senior tackles) Eric Jackson and Marseth Andry, and I'm missing guys. Just a good group of guys up there.

    "And then our corners continue to make plays. I've been pleased with (sophomore) Robert Rochell and (junior) Trai Mosley. They are doing some good things. I think we have a chance to be really good on defense again for sure.'

    Brown said he wants to use the Spring Game to find out a few more things about his first team before summer workouts.

    "I think at this point it's kind of zeroing in on what we're good at,' Brown said.  "Because at this point, we've got 75-80 percent of our offense and defense in. Let's find out what we're good at, what we can execute. And going into the Spring Game, let's be simple and go out and try to get better.

    "I think that's a pretty cliche answer, but really at this point, we kind of know what we've got, other than some freshmen coming in that could help us. But this is our team and I think our coordinators are seeing what they're playing with, and I know they're pleased with who we got.'

    The Purple-Gray Game is part of "Super Bear Saturday" on campus, which will feature a tennis match between UCA and New Orleans at noon at the UCA Tennis Complex, the Spring Game at 2 p.m. and a Bear baseball game versus Houston Baptist at 4 p.m. at Bear Stadium.