Skip To Main Content

University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Team
7
Central Oklahoma UCO 0-1 , 0-1
21
Winner Pittsburg State PSU 1-0 , 1-0
Central Oklahoma UCO
0-1 , 0-1
7
Final
21
Pittsburg State PSU
1-0 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UCO Central Oklahoma 0 0 0 7 7
PSU Pittsburg State 7 14 0 0 21

Game Recap: Football | | Chris Brannick

Bronchos Downed In Opener

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma football team opened the 2018 season Thursday night with a 21-7 loss to Pittsburg State at Carnie Smith Stadium in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association action.
 
Central's offense sputtered in the first half, causing a big deficit for the Bronchos. UCO went three & out on its first three possessions, ran just four plays on the next drive and then went three & out again on the fifth drive of the game. The Bronchos finished the first half with only four first downs, and 61 yards of offense on 26 plays.
 
"We just didn't come out the way we needed to," seventh-year head coach Nick Bobeck said. "They came out and scored quick and we didn't. We put ourselves in a bad spot and in this environment, you just can't afford to do that."
 
The Bronchos got a glimpse of momentum with a Colton Lindsey interception in the first quarter, but Central then missed a 34-yard field goal after another quick drive (four plays, seven yards).
 
Pitt State scored on their first possession with a six-yard run that capped off a 10-play, 78-yard drive. The Gorillas then made it 14-0 with a 20-yard touchdown pass with just over four minutes to play in the first half.
 
Pittsburg then got a big boost. The Bronchos went three & out again and on the punt, Pittsburg State return man KiAnte Hardin made every Central player miss a tackle on his way to a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown to make it 21-0. That's how the game went to halftime.
 
Central got some offense going in the third quarter, but still couldn't put the ball in the end zone. Keats Calhoon orchestrated most of the offense, earning 35 yards passing in the frame and another 38 yards rushing. But Central also had a three & out on the opening possession of the half, then turned the ball over on downs after a 10-play, 46-yard drive.
 
A 51-yard touchdown pass from Calhoon to L'liott Curry with 9:43 to play made it 21-7, giving Central some late hope. The score was set-up by a forced turnover, UCO's second of the game. Jeremiah Hill shot through the line and jumped on the ball after the Pitt State quarterback mishandled the snap.
 
The Bronchos would get two more tries with the ball, but couldn't finish.
 
Calhoon finished 12-for-29 with 127 yards and one touchdown. He was also the leading rusher on the day. The sophomore tallied 59 yards on 15 carries in his first career start. Curry's three-catch, 89-yard day highlighted the stat sheet for the Bronchos. Justin Curry also had three catches for 26 yards.
 
Lindsey led the Broncho defense with eight tackles on the night (four solo, four assisted) to go with his one interception. Chris Pogi and Tyrell Cummings each had seven stops, and Justin Stewart added four tackles to go with a sack he made in the first quarter, the lone sack of the game for the Bronchos.

Central Oklahoma will play its first home game of the new year next Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. against Nebraska-Kearney.
Print Friendly Version
Skip Ad
Skip Sponsors