UCO Falls Short

11/6/2010 7:50:12 PM

Carter Whitson

Game Statistics

WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Nov. 6) – Another close game went against Central Oklahoma here Saturday afternoon as the Bronchos dropped a 31-24 Lone Star Conference North Division decision to Southwestern Oklahoma.

The Bronchos forged a 24-all tie early in the fourth quarter and appeared to have tied it again at 31-all in the final minutes, but a touchdown pass was negated by a penalty and UCO ended up turning the ball over on downs in dropping their fifth straight game.

It was the fifth loss by seven points of less this season for the Bronchos, who fell to 2-8 on the year and 1-5 in North Division play. UCO ends the season next week with a league crossover game at Angelo State.

Ethan Sharp completed 23-of-38 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown in his return to the starting lineup after missing last week to injury and freshman sensation Josh Birmingham rushed for 102 yards and two scores for the Bronchos, who racked up 403 yards total offense.

But SWOSU averaged 6.9 yards a rushing play and gashed the UCO defense for 297 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in ending a three-game losing streak to the Bronchos.

The Bulldogs drew first blood, driving in for a 29-yard field goal on their first possession of the game after taking over the UCO 46-yard-line following a short punt into the wind and the first quarter ended that way.

The Bronchos took the lead with an 11-play, 75-yard TD drive that was capped by Birmingham's seven-yard scoring burst. Sharp completed all three pass attempts for 29 yards and Birmingham gained the last 25 yards on four consecutive carries to put UCO on top 7-3 early in the second period.

SWOSU responded with a 73-yard scoring march of its own to regain a 10-7 lead, with the Bulldogs using a goal-line stand to force the Bronchos to settle for a field goal on their next offensive try.

Birmingham had a 14-yard run and Carter Whitson hauled in passes of 16 and 24 yards in getting UCO a first-and-goal at the SWOSU one, but two runs and a pass lost three yards and the Bronchos were forced to settle for Derek Martinez's 23-yard field goal that tied it 10-10 with 1:35 left in the half.

The Bulldogs scored on their first two possessions of the third quarter to break that deadlock and take a big 24-10 lead, but UCO responded with 14 unanswered points of its own to tie it again.

Artrell Woods set up the first score with a 54-yard kickoff return and Sharp completed passes of 12 and 21 yards to Whitson before Birmingham broke loose for a 13-yard scoring sprint to bring the Bronchos within 24-17 late in the third quarter.

The Bronchos drew even early in the final stanza after taking over at their own 41 following a SWOSU punt.

Sharp had a 24-yard pass to Dolphin Davis on a third-and-10 to get that drive started and the sophomore quarterback finished it three plays later when he hit Tucker Holland with a 35-yard scoring strike. Martinez's extra point tied it at 24-all with 10:44 left to play.

But SWOSU came right back, rushing for 67 yards in a quick-hit 71-yard drive to regain the lead at 31-24 with 7:55 remaining.

UCO appeared to respond with a TD drive of its own when Sharp hit Daniel Morrell with a 17-yard scoring pass on a third-and-5 play, but the Bronchos were called for holding and Sharp's fourth-and-15 pass fell incomplete.

The Bulldogs then ran out the clock the seal the victory.

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories