Game Statistics

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Nov. 8) – Undisputed champions!

Central Oklahoma made sure it didn't have to share the Lone Star Conference North Division title here Saturday afternoon, using a dominating defensive effort and getting a clutch fourth-quarter touchdown drive to subdue Northeastern State, 24-13.

It was the seventh straight win after a 0-4 start for the Bronchos, who finished 7-4 on the year, 6-3 in the overall league standings and a perfect 5-0 in claiming sole possession of the LSC North crown.

“What a great tribute to this football team to be North Division champions after the way this season started,” first-year head coach Tracy Holland said. “Our players didn't hang their heads after we started 0-4 and instead that just worked harder and trusted in what we were trying to do.

“Today wasn't a pretty game and we struggled offensively, but our defense came through once again and we won a tough football game. This is a special team and it's been a special year.”

UCO managed a season-low 215 total yards, but held the RiverHawks to just 210 and forced six turnovers – five fumbles and one interception – in the first half.

The Bronchos failed to take advantage of several of those opportunities in taking a 17-10 halftime lead and NSU capped a lengthy drive with a 34-yard field goal on its second possession of the third quarter to pull within 17-13.

The RiverHawks were in business again early in the fourth quarter after moving from their own 27-yard-line to the a first-and-10 at the UCO 37, but NSU running back Prince McKinney slipped on a fourth-and-one run and the Bronchos took over at the 28 with 10:18 left.

That's when UCO's offensive line took over, sparking a ground-oriented touchdown drive that clinched the win as the Bronchos went 72 yards in nine plays – eight of them runs -- to take a 24-13 lead with 4:07 remaining.

Jason Palmer did most of the work, ripping off runs of 12, 18 and 19 yards behind gaping holes up the middle before he scored on an 11-yard swing pass from Brandon Noohi.

NSU failed on fourth down tries its last two possessions of the game and the Bronchos were able to celebrate.

Palmer finished with 97 yards rushing on 20 carries in addition to the TD reception. Noohi was just 13-of-30 passing for 107 yards and he was intercepted twice after being picked off just once all season.

Linebacker Terrence Hill led the defense with 11 tackles and a forced fumble, while linebacker #K.C. Asiodu# had eight tackles, a 78-yard interception return and a fumble recovery and end Freddie Harris seven stops with a sack, a fumble recovery and a broken up pass.

UCO took a 3-0 lead five minutes into the game on Chad Susman's 33-yard field goal after Terry Hardeman had recovered a fumble at the NSU 36, with the RiverHawks tying it late in the period on a short Jared Homer field goal.

A short punt had the RiverHawks in business minutes later at the UCO 27, but on second down from there Asiodu picked off a Kenny Davis pass at the 22 and raced untouched 78 yards for the touchdown – getting a final clearing block from Harris at the 15 – to put the Bronchos on top to stay.

UCO turned another turnover into its next points, with Matt Gates forcing a fumble that Ellis White recovered at the NSU 33.

It took two plays for the Bronchos to score, with Noohi hitting Daniel Morrell for 32 yards to the one before Da'Marean Pullen bulled over for the touchdown and a 17-3 lead with 10:00 left in the half.

White had another fumble recovery minutes later at the NSU 20, but UCO couldn't capitalize when Noohi was intercepted in the end zone on a second-and-goal play from the two.

The RiverHawks made it 17-10 with just 35 seconds left in the half when Noohi was hit while trying the pass on a scramble and McCoy Campbell intercepted it and ran it back 45 yards for the touchdown.