University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Bronchos Come Up Short In Season Opener

9/1/2016 10:07:00 PM | By: Chris Brannick

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The University of Central Oklahoma opened the 2016 season on Thursday against Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association foe Lindenwood and came up short, losing 49-26.

The Bronchos (0-1, 0-1) scored first in the game, a 29-yard field goal from Seth Hiddink on the game's first drive. Lindenwood (1-0, 1-0) answered with a scoring drive of their own, and after a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mason Bendigo to Kendell Sparks, Travis Spraul missed the extra point and it was 6-3 Lindenwood.

Jake Gandara, returning after missing last year with an injury, scored a 9-yard touchdown run later in the first to put the Bronchos ahead with 5:57 to play in the first quarter. Then Clay McKenzie scored a touchdown of his own in the second quarter with a 1-yard run and Hiddink's extra point made it 17-6 in favor of UCO.

Bendigo threw another touchdown pass, his second to DeVonte Majors with 1:19 to play until halftime. The Bronchos put together an impressive two-minute drill, capped by Seth Hiddink's second field goal of the game to put the Bronchos ahead 20-13 at halftime.

The second half was a completely different story for UCO. A completely different game almost. Lindenwood came out of the half and scored 27 unanswered points, 21 in the third quarter, and the Bronchos couldn't keep up.

Clay McKenzie scored his second touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter, but the point after try was blocked and Lindenwood returned it all the way for a two-point score to make it 42-26. Lindenwood added another touchdown in the fourth to make it 49-26 and too much a hole to climb out of for the Bronchos.

UCO plays its home opener next Thursday, Sept. 8 at Wantland Stadium. The Bronchos host Pittsburg State (0-1, 0-1) at 7 p.m.

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