CONWAY, Ark. -- Ryan Howard completed 15 of 19 pass attempts for 114 yards and two touchdowns to lead Central Arkansas to a 52-18 win over Nicholls to open Southland Conference play on Saturday.

Taylor Reed, who played in his first game since leaving the Montana State game on Sept. 13 with concussion symptoms, was 7-of-9 passing for 98 yards for UCA.

Kalen Henderson scored in the first quarter after a 71-yard drive to put Nicholls within one, 7-6. The Colonels only crossed midfield twice after that.

UCA (2-3, 1-0) amassed 487 total yards while holding Nicholls (0-5, 0-1) to 240. Nicholls scored in the third when Joel Dullary intercepted a pass and ran it in from the 22 to close the gap to 24-12. UCA answered quickly as Jatavious Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards to the 16. Three plays later Howard passed to Courtney Whitehead for a 31-12 lead.