Donovyn Omolo Piles Up 361 Yards in Central Arkansas Debut, Beats UT Martin 36-24

Central Arkansas needed a quarterback. In one afternoon, Donovyn Omolo answered the question.

The sophomore transfer from Central Missouri, a hometown arrival, went 20-for-27 for 243 yards and three touchdowns and added 118 rushing yards in a 36-24 win over UT Martin, the season opener for both teams. His 361 total yards were more than UT Martin's offense produced all game.

Two of the three scoring throws went to Arlie Lee, the second a 51-yarder in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 26-17. That was the cushion the Bears ended up needing, because Omolo's only interception went the other way in a hurry — Trey Cotton took it back 56 yards for a touchdown, a 14-point swing that kept UT Martin within range.

It was still 29-24 in the fourth quarter. Jalen Washington's 27-yard run with three and a half minutes left finally put it away.

UT Martin never found rhythm through the air. Julian Calvez threw for 147 yards with two interceptions, and a defense that generated a pick-six couldn't stop Omolo either through the air or on the ground — the 118 rushing yards suggest the Bears' quarterback was as much a run threat as a passer, which is a different problem for the rest of Central Arkansas' schedule to solve.

One game does not settle a season. But a quarterback who completes 74 percent of his throws, produces 361 yards, and does it in his first start for a new program is the kind of thing a program builds around rather than manages around. The Bears found out in Week 1 which one they have.