Wide left.

To the Skyhawks, there were no sweeter words than these last Thursday night as they pulled out a 35-34 victory over Central Arkansas in their home opener.

“I was so scared,” tailback Donald Chapman said. “I thought he made that kick. It was such a relief when they waved it no good.” This feeling of relief is not something new to the Skyhawk football team. This game marks the third time in four years that UTM has won its home opener by just one point.

Late in the third quarter, it looked like this year might have turned out different though, as UTM jumped out to a 28-19 lead on an 80-yard interception for a touchdown by rover Jack Greenwood. But with 2:26 left in the quarter, UCA answered back and cut the lead to 28-26.

Things seemed to take a turn for the worse when, with just 2:18 in the game, the Bears scored again, giving them the 34-28 lead. Quarterback Brady Wahlberg then took command of his team and led them on a 65-yard, six-play drive that resulted in a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Taurean Stephens. The Skyhawks regained the lead with 54 seconds left to play.

“To look up on that post play and see the football come down in my hands - it was like a gift from God,” Stephens said. “To finally connect on a pivotal pass play at a crucial time ... man, it was perfect.”

The last UCA drive of the gave, true to Skyhawk form, resulted in one of the most dramatic finales in years.

The Bears returned the punt 15 yards to their own 34 yard line. Quarterback Chris Reil then completed a 26-yard pass to put UCA in Skyhawk territory. They converted a fourth-and-four into another first down and, with 10 seconds left, went for the 42-yard field goal.

Despite having the distance, the ball thankfully went wide giving the Skyhawks the victory.

“We might get out-skilled some nights, but we’re not going to lose because of character,” head coach Matt Griffin said. “Those last few minutes were a circus. I feel very fortunate to win that game.”

Both teams put up impressive offensive numbers on the night. UCA’s Reil had 342 passing yards with running back Kentrel Rogers picking up 116 yards on 20 carries. Also helping out the Bears on offense was 6-foot-6 wide receiver Aaron Fairooz, UCA’s all-time leading receiver, who had 174 yards and a touchdown.

UTM’s Wahlberg racked up 188 yards passing and 63 yards rushing with two TD’s to break the school record of total offensive yards with 5,470. These efforts earned Wahlberg the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor.

Chapman, who picked up right where he left off last season, led the team with 141 yards on 26 carries and a TD. Stephens added 74 yards and two touchdowns to help the Skyhawks in their win.

Tailback Justin Glover also contributed a touchdown for the Skyhawks.

Kicking proved to be a problem for both the Skyhawks and the Bears. UCA blew the game winning field goal and UTM kicker Taylor Brown missed two field goals, both under 40 yards, in the first and last quarters of the game.

“The first half, I just thought UTM beat us to the punch,” UCA coach Clint Conque said. “You just can’t make the mistakes we made in the kicking game and then turn the ball over and expect to win.”

Defensively, several Skyhawks helped to keep the Bears out of the end zone. Linebacker Markeseo Jackson led the team with 11 tackles. Defensive end Andre Plummer followed right behind him with 10.

The Skyhawk defense also had an impressive six sacks on the evening, two coming from each Plummer and safety Craig Worthen and one from defensive end David Gilmore and defensive tackle Joseph Threats.

Looking to start a winning streak, the Skyhawks will travel to Jonesboro, Ark. to take on the Indians of Arkansas State, a Division I-A school.

The Indians are coming of a 44-17 loss to the Missouri Tigers last week. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Indian Stadium.

The Skyhawks will then return home to face Tennessee State in their OVC opener at noon on Sept. 17 at Graham Stadium.