South Atlantic Conference 1, Gulf South 0

Catawba had to prove itself again Saturday afternoon. It had to prove itself to the fans and especially, the opponent. And the question is, why?

Why does a college football team that has won 32 of its last 36 games still have doubters?

Is it because the Indians play in the South Atlantic Conference and not the beastly Gulf South? Or is because Catawba, with one of the smallest enrollments in the Division II playoffs, is just perceived as a team that can’t possibly stick with the bigger schools?

Both, probably.

Whatever it is, David Bennett’s Indians sure do enjoy showing people up.

Take Saturday’s breathtaking 35-34 conquering of Central Arkansas. That’s Central Arkansas University. That’s Central Arkansas University of the Gulf South Conference.

“We always look for a challenge,” smiled receiver Nick Means after it was all over. “We’re fighting for a lot of respect.”

Why?

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Means, the scholar-athlete of the year in the SAC, will tell you why.

“These guys,” he said referring to the Central Arkansas Bears, “were like, ‘We’re a university playing a small college.’

“You look at their stadium on film and it’s huge. They come in this little, uh, backyard thing — that’s probably what they called it — but when you go out on the field, it doesn’t matter where you play. Even if it’s my backyard, it’s 11 people on offense and 11 people on defense and we’re going to go at each other.”

When it was over, Catawba was looking at two scores. The one on the scoreboard and the one that read South Atlantic Conference 1, Gulf South 0.

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The Gulf South is the Southeastern Conference of Division II. It has a powerful tradition with six national championships under its belt. And as Bennett is always quick to point out, the SAC has zero. Zilch. Nada.

So why should the Gulf South Bears take Catawba seriously when they’re up 31 points and carrying an 11-point lead into halftime?

Why?

Catawba loves this type of thinking, of course. But you have to admit, trailing 31-20 going into intermission would have even the most positive thinkers reaching for a stiff drink.

“Everybody thought we were down,” scoffed junior defensive lineman Richard Scott. “We weren’t down.”

“Everybody was pumped up,” added freshman D-lineman Piotr Kalinowski.

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Matt Gross thought it should’ve been 31-23 but his field goal at the second quarter buzzer was called wide. Boos cascaded down on the officials.

Bennett argued to no avail and headed for the locker room. Once behind closed doors, he and defensive coordinator Curtis Walker turned things over to the veterans.

“We have six seniors on defense who weren’t ready to hang up their gear,” shrugged Walker. “They handled everything.”

But talk is cheap until you turn to gold. And that’s exactly what David Huey did against a Bear offense that seemed unstoppable to that point.

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Huey was a preseason All-American but did not make All-SAC. So UCA’s first possession of the third quarter was his time. He scooped up a Brian Stallworth fumble, tucked it under his arm and the Dancin’ Bear was off to the races before being run down from behind.

The sidelines went nuts, as did the packed home side of dilapidated Shuford Stadium. It set up a score for a 31-28 deficit.

It was the second big play by a defensive lineman. On UCA’s first possession of the game, James McDowell intercepted a pass and rambled 20 yards to set up a score.

Huey couldn’t be found after the game but McDowell’s smile couldn’t be missed.

“I had a dream last night that I was going to get an interception,” Mac Daddy beamed.

“I’m going to have to put him under next week so he’ll get another one,” laughed Walker.

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As the second half wore on, the big plays kept coming.

First, it was Means.

With Catawba down 34-28 early in the fourth period, Means took a kickoff — his first of the season — 51 yards. Catawba scored quickly and it was up by one.

A one-point lead is nothing against Central Arkansas, however, and the defense knew it. The defensive backs — whether it was Jemonte Battle, Nick Hopper, Corey Reese, Ryan Norman or Jamel Jackson — began tearing the receivers heads off. “Your defensive backs have hit UCA’s receivers harder than anybody all year,” said a Bear beat writer.

“That’s good to hear,” smiled Norman. We call our DBs ‘dirty.’ We play fair but football is a hard-nosed game. We don’t like to just cover. We like to hit also.”

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The last big play came from the biggest — make that the tallest — Indian, 6-foot-6 receiver Arnold Gaither.

“I told Reese, ‘Give us one more stop and I promise you it’s over with,’ ” Gaither said.

With under a minute left, Catawba faced a third-and-20 from the Central 46. Offensive coordinator Jamie Snider wanted to run. The head man?

“I said, ‘Shoot, let’s throw it,” Bennett said. “And throw it quick.’ ”

Luke Samples did — the alley oop. Gaither leaped and latched on.

First down for the small college. No more first downs for The University. Game over.

“At the end, A.G. made the play of the day,” said linebacker Shawn McBride, a fellow senior.

A play that not only proved to those in attendance that Catawba is for real, but a play that should’ve also sold everyone on its league.

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Now, Valdosta State University is waiting in Georgia for the small college. Valdosta is 12-0, it has Division II’s premier name in quarterback Dusty Bonner and an air of unbeatable confidence.

Catawba will arrive with 52 players — 40 of whom are underclassmen. And nobody will be giving the small college a chance.

Which means the Catawba Indians may have their doubters right where they want them.

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com .