Bear bits.

UCA had 63 players who met or surpassed their weight-lifting goals during the off-season, and earned the title of Iron Bears. The 63 total Iron Bears is a team record for an off-season ... UCA coach CLINT CONQUE was hoping during August workouts that his club would not focus on past success, such as going 10-2 last season and finishing first in the Southland Conference (though officially being denied the championship by an NCAA ruling, because the Bears are in probationary status in moving from Division II to the Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision).

"The big emphasis for me right now is to respect the process, to understand how we got to where we are as a program, to not get ahead of ourselves,' said Conque, entering his 10th season at UCA. "It's all about the next meeting, the next film session, the next weight session, the next practice, even the next play. We have to get better every day and fight through the dog days, because they are coming.'.... After four years of hearing the quarterback's name (NATHAN BROWN) called more than any other player, might we be heading into a season where another position stands out in Conway? Could be, the way All-SLC tailback Brent Grimes has looked in the spring and summer. Grimes led UCA with 879 yards rushing and was the SLC's leader in touchdowns with 21.

"BRENT GRIMES looks exceptional out there. He's just got another gear,' Conque said after an early August practice ... Freshmen who have impressed as UCA prepared to open the season include defensive back RADARIUS WINSTON and tight end MASON KING ... Conque is hoping for junior tight end RICO MOSS to have better luck this season. "Last year he was just starting to come on when he got hurt again," Conque said.