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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Will Collins
26
Central Missouri UCM 3-3 , 3-3
33
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 3-3 , 3-3
Central Missouri UCM
3-3 , 3-3
26
Final
33
Central Oklahoma UCO
3-3 , 3-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UCM Central Missouri 0 20 6 0 26
UCO Central Oklahoma 23 0 0 10 33

Game Recap: Football | | Chris Brannick

Bronchos Outlast Central Missouri

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma football team earned a come-from-behind 33-26 win over Central Missouri Saturday afternoon in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play at Wantland Stadium.
 
It didn't appear UCO would need to come from behind to beat Central Missouri for the second season in a row. The Bronchos got the ball after Central Missouri missed a 49-yard field goal on the game's opening possession.
 
Will Collins got the start at quarterback, his first as a Broncho, and the sophomore was quick to put up a highlight. Collins connected with Mekail Hall on a 9-yard pass, then Dustin Basks for an 11-yard pass. On the third play of the drive, Collins dropped back to pass, but quickly executed the QB draw up the middle, where he sprinted through open field on his way to a 48-yard touchdown run.
 
After forcing a Central Missouri punt on the next possession, Collins was at it again. He connected with Clay McKenzie for a 23-yard gain and then found Ronald Monroe for a 59-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 Bronchos. Collins was 4-for-4 with 102 yards and two touchdowns and he had completions to four different receivers.
 
All in 4:17.
 
"We've got a really talented quarterback room," seventh-year head football coach Nick Bobeck said. "And Will stepped up today. Will stepped up today when he was needed. It speaks to his character and what type of kid he is."
 
The Bronchos punted the next time they got the ball, but the defense again made a stop. UCO punted on its fifth possession of the game again, and this time, Central Missouri's return-man muffed the punt. Josh Autaubo recovered the fumble on the UCM 12-yard line and two plays later, McKenzie punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0 UCO.
 
Central then kept it going, forcing a safety on the next play to go up 23-0.
 
So the comeback?
 
Central Missouri would score 26 unanswered points, 20 in the second quarter, and six more in the third, to take a 26-23 lead over the Bronchos.
 
UCO's defense gave a little, but never broke. The Bronchos forced Central Missouri to a 4th & 6 with just under four minutes to play in the third quarter, and made a stop to take over on downs.
 
Collins then orchestrated an 8-play, 77-yard drive that included a huge 3rd & 8 conversion that was a 51-yard pass from Collins to Hall. Collins threw his second touchdown of the game, a 2-yard toss to Justin Curry in the front corner of the end zone, and the Bronchos went back in the lead 30-26 with 12:03 to play in the game.
 
Central Oklahoma added an 18-yard field goal on a bruising 12-play, 85-yard drive that took 6:03 off the fourth quarter clock.
 
On the drive, McKenzie busted through every defender in his way. He had runs of 8, 10, 4, 4, 29, 1, and 2. McKenzie's shortest run of the game came on 3rd & goal from the 1-yard line, where he was stopped for no gain.
 
Alex Quevedo added the field goal on the next play to make it 33-26 with 3:32 to play and put the game in the hands of the defense.
 
Central Missouri looked to tie the game. The Mules drove from their own 25-yard line all the way down to the UCO 11 with 36 seconds to play. But after a rush for zero yards and an incomplete pass, the Central Oklahoma defense turned it up a notch.
 
UCM QB Jeremy Hunt dropped back to pass but was sacked by Eli Hooks for a loss of 15 yards on the play. On 4th & 25 from the UCO 26-yard line Hunt dropped back again and again, Hooks came through with the sack. Turnover on downs.
 
The Bronchos knelt the ball on the next play and celebrated in victory.
 
Hooks had four tackles on the night, including two sacks. Colton Lindsey led the defensive effort with nine stops, including two behind the line of scrimmage. O'Shay Harris added seven tackles and Malik Walker added five tackles and two pass break-ups.
 
Collins finished 18-for-24 with 268 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 10 times for 53 yards and the one score. McKenzie had 27 carries for 154 yards – both season highs – and one score.
 
McKenzie's touchdown moved him out of a tie for fifth-place on the UCO all-time scoring list. McKenzie now has 246 points, surpassing former Broncho running back Greg Briley, whose 1998 team was honored Saturday for their 13-0 season 20 years ago.
 
McKenzie added three catches for 27 yards. Hall led the Bronchos with 116 yards on eight catches. Basks added 64 yards on five catches.
 
Central Oklahoma moves to 3-3 on the season and will travel to play Missouri Western in Week 7. The Bronchos take on the Griffons in St. Joseph, Mo. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. before returning home to host Washburn on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.
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