Game Statistics
EDMOND (Aug. 30) – A gallant upset try came up just short for Central Oklahoma Saturday night as the Bronchos dropped a tough 16-12 decision to No. 17-ranked Pittsburg State before 8,147 Wantland Stadium fans in the 2008 season opener.
It was the UCO head coaching debut for Tracy Holland and his troops battled the heavily-favored Gorillas on even terms throughout the contest, with a hard-hitting defense forcing five turnovers – including four fumbles – to keep the Bronchos in the contest.
A two-point defensive PAT kept UCO within 16-12 after PSU had broken a 10-10 tie on a touchdown pass with 11:51 left, but the Bronchos didn't threaten in their final three possessions and the Gorillas held on.
“We played with a lot of effort and emotion and gave ourselves a great chance to win the football game,” Holland said. “We couldn't come up with the offense we needed down the stretch to make it happen, but we didn't back down and gave it everything we had.”
The Bronchos came up with several big defensive plays to stay close, with linebacker Terry Hardeman and free safety #T.J. Shaw# leading the way. Hardeman made a game-high 13 tackles while forcing two fumbles and recovering two others, while Shaw had 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and broken up pass.
Hardeman recovered a fumble at the UCO 48-yard-line on Pitt State's first possession of the game, but the Bronchos couldn't convert that opportunity and the Gorillas took the lead with their next offensive try when they marched 72 yards in nine plays.
Quarterback Mark Smith ended that drive with a seven-yard scoring run to give PSU a 7-0 lead.
UCO tied it early in the second period when tailback Da'Marean Pullen capped a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a seven-yard TD dash. Quarterback Alex Gibson completed passes of 20 yards to Daniel Morrell and 11 yards to Jason Palmer to start the drive, but the threat appeared to stall at the PSU 15.
The Bronchos missed a field goal from there, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave UCO a first down at the seven and Pullen raced up the middle for the tying touchdown on the next play.
PSU went on top 10-7 with 4:42 left in the second period on a short field goal and appeared poised to add to the lead in the final seconds of the half before Prentise Muse came up with a timely interception at the UCO three.
The Bronchos opened the third period with their best offensive drive of the night, a 10-play, 77-yard march that ended in Alex Weaver's 23-yard field goal to tie the game.
Quarterback Brandon Noohi had the biggest play with a spectacular 45-yard run on a third-and-17 play, while Palmer had runs of 23 and 11 yards before the drive stalled at the PSU five and forced UCO to settle for the short field goal.
PSU came right back with a long drive, reaching a first-and-goal at the UCO one before the defense again came up big.
Linebacker Tanner Jones and nose guard Kenneth Pointer stopped Caleb Farabi for no gain on first down, then linebacker Mike Reed led a charge that again nailed Farabi at the line of scrimmage. On third-and-goal, Pointer forced Smith to fumble, with Shaw picking up the ball at the three and returning it 21 yards.
The Bronchos picked up a couple of first downs before punting the ball away, with UCO getting in right back when PSU fumbled the exchange on a handoff and Hardeman pounced on the ball at the Gorilla 20.
UCO couldn't take advantage, however, picking up no yards in three plays before missing a 37-yard field goal.
Pitt State then came back with the game-winning drive, going 80 yards in 12 plays before Smith finished it with a 17-yard TD toss. The Bronchos stayed within four when Cordarrow Milton scooped up a bad snap on the extra point try and ran it back 75 yards for two points to keep UCO within 16-12 with 11:51 remaining.
The Bronchos had three more possessions, but didn't really threaten and PSU had survived the upset bid.
