Noohi, Bronchos Run Past SWOSU

10/17/2009 10:09:43 PM

Brandon Noohi

EDMOND (Oct. 17) – Brandon Noohi had one of the best offensive performances in Central Oklahoma's rich history and the Bronchos shook off an early deficit to steamroll Southwestern Oklahoma 41-23 Saturday night at Wantland Stadium.

UCO overcame a 14-0 first-quarter deficit by outscoring the Bulldogs 41-3 from late in the opening period to the final minute of the game, with Noohi doing most of the damage.

The senior quarterback accounted for five touchdowns and 416 yards total offense – the third-best game in school history – as UCO ended a frustrating five-game losing streak with the Lone Star Conference North Division rout.

Noohi ran for a career-high 146 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries while also hitting 30-of-39 passes for 270 yards and two scores. The Bronchos finished with 574 total yards (304 rushing, 270 passing), the fifth-best game in UCO history.

UCO improved to 2-6 on the year, 2-4 in the overall league standings and 1-2 in the North Division with the win.

“We made a lot of mistakes early and faced some adversity, but I was proud of the way we responded,” UCO coach Tracy Holland said. “Our offense was really clicking tonight and Brandon obviously played a great game. It was a win we really needed to have and hopefully we can build on this.”

Noohi had plenty of offensive helped as UCO averaged 7.0 yards a play while racking up 27 first downs. Jason Palmer added 136 yards on the ground in 21 attempts and seven different receivers caught at least one pass, with Ryan Gallimore's seven-reception, 72-yard outing leading the way.

And defensively, the Bronchos limited SWOSU to 318 total yards, including just 63 rushing. Linebackers Terry Hardeman and Tucker Cason paced the defense, with Hardeman making 12 tackles with 1.5 sacks and Cason adding 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

The Bulldogs jumped on top quickly, turning an UCO fumble into a 21-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead just 34 seconds into the contest and then making it 14-0 with 3:04 left in the opening period.

Noohi cut it 14-7 with a weaving 35-yard scoring scamper in the final seconds of the quarter and the Bronchos tied it late in the half when Noohi capped a 51-yard drive with a 10-yard TD dash.

Hardeman and Cason teamed up for a sack to stop SWOSU's opening possession of the second half and UCO followed a short punt with a 53-yard TD march to take its first lead of the game.

A 25-yard pass from Noohi to tight end Bryce Davis kick-started the drive and Noohi ended it with a 10-yard scoring strike to Daniel Morrell on a third-and-eight play. Chris Robbs added the extra point to put the Bronchos in front to stay, 21-14.

SWOSU made it 21-17 with a short field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to end a 16-play drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of the clock and it took the Bronchos just 49 seconds to respond.

Creadell Pennon's 40-yard kickoff return put UCO in business at midfield and Noohi ripped off a career-long 41-yard run around the right side on the first play from there. Palmer then gained four yards before Noohi finished the quick-hit drive with a five-yard keeper for his third TD of the game to make it 28-17.

UCO upped the lead to 34-17 with 5:56 remaining when Noohi hit Gallimore with a 23-yard scoring toss and the Bronchos put the exclamation point on the victory with Ben Birmingham's six-yard TD smash that made it 41-17 with 1:59 left.

The Bulldogs added a consolation score in the final minute, but it didn't matter.

UCO returns to action next Saturday, going to Wichita Falls, Texas to take on Midwestern State.

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories