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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Josh Crockett
[Photo By John Fitzgerald, UCO Radio]
21
Central Oklahoma UCO 1-4 , 1-4
35
Winner Emporia State ESU 4-1 , 4-1
Central Oklahoma UCO
1-4 , 1-4
21
Final
35
Emporia State ESU
4-1 , 4-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UCO Central Oklahoma 0 0 10 11 21
ESU Emporia State 7 14 7 7 35

Game Recap: Football | | Chris Brannick

Bronchos rally in second half, comeback falls short at Emporia State

EMPORIA, Kan. - A furious second-half comeback by Central Oklahoma came up short, and Emporia State walked away winners of a 35-21 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association showdown on Saturday.

The Bronchos (1-4) were faced with a 21-0 halftime deficit before a valliant effort at a comeback. Josh Crockett grabbed a highlight-reel touchdown catch, Clay McKenzie bulldozed into the endzone, and Seth Hiddink split the uprights with a field goal and the Bronchos were only down 28-21 in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Emporia State capped off the game with touchdown drive to seal the win.

UCO will now return home and focus on facing the defending Division II national champions, Northwest Missouri State.

T.J. Eckert played most of the game at quarterback for the Bronchos and finished 17 of 31 passing for 215 yards. The 215 yards moved him past Brandon Noohi and Ethan Sharp and into second place on Central Oklahoma's all-time passing list. Only Brett Manning's 5,823 yards remain ahead of Eckert's 4,992.

But Chas Stallard also played quarterback for the Bronchos. Stallard was 1 of 2 for 10 yards and that was the touchdown pass to Crockett. As the third quarter clock ticked under one minute, Stallard tossed a pass toward the back of the endzone to Crockett. An Emporia defender tipped the ball, but Crockett kept his focus and made an amazing catch, while keeping his feet inbounds as he fell out of the back of the endzone. 

Crockett led all UCO receivers with five catches for 78 yards and the score. Rodriguez Coleman, who also threw a successful two-point conversion pass to Eckert, also had five catches. Coleman had 76 yards. Both Crockett and Coleman had long catches of 46.

Jake Gandara led the Bronchos in rushing with 13 carries for 89 yards. McKenzie had 14 carries for 42 yards and the touchdown run.

Riley Galyon led the Central defense with nine tackles, while Chris Pogi added eight.

Kickoff at Wantland Stadium next Saturday is 2 p.m.
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