Football 10/1/2019 9:28:00 AM Chris Brannick

UCO Welcomes Fort Hays State For Homecoming Game

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EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma football team returns to Wantland Stadium Saturday for a 1 p.m. MIAA kickoff against Fort Hays State.

The Bronchos enter the game 2-2 on the season. UCO won two in a row in between its losses. Fort Hays State is also 2-2 on the season. The Tigers of Hays, Kan. bring a two-game win streak to Edmond after starting the season 0-2.

"It's going to be another tough battle," UCO head football coach Nick Bobeck said. "Just like every other game in this league, you have to play your best football. Fort Hays is a physical team and a talented team and we need to be ready for the challenge from start to finish."

Despite a lopsided defeat in Week 4, UCO still has plenty to rave about as we near the halfway point of the 2019 season. The Bronchos rank in the top 10 in the country in eight different statistical categories as a team.

– No. 1 in the country in fewest penalties per game (3.5).
– No. 2 in the country in fewest total penalties (14).
– No. 3 in the country in turnovers lost (2).
– No. 4 in the country in fewest penalty yards per game (35.7).
– No. 6 in the country in fewest total penalty yards (143).
– No. 6 in the country in interceptions thrown (1).
– No. 6 in the country in fumbles recovered (6).
– No. 9 in the country in defensive touchdowns (2).

UCO is averaging 34 points per game entering Week 5. The Bronchos allow 29.8 per contest. Central has a well-balanced offense, putting up 229.5 passing yards per game and 167.5 rushing yards per game.

Senior wide receiver Dustin Basks leads the team in total offense. The Claremore, Okla. native has 17 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 34 punt return yards and 95 kick return yards. Basks averages 108.2 all-purpose yards per game.

Junior running back T.J. Roberts is as involved as Basks and has quickly become a leader on offense in his first season at Central. The Phoenix, Ariz. native leads the team with 318 rushing yards on 53 carries. He has three rushing TDs. Roberts also has 63 yards receiving on five catches.

Keats Calhoon, Will Collins, and Chandler Garrett all continue to blend at the quarterback position. UCO has a combined 918 yards passing through four games (229.5 per game) and has thrown 10 touchdowns.

Calhoon is 29-for-50 in two games played. He has 381 yards and three touchdown passes. Collins is 31-for-57 in three games played with 469 yards and four TDs. Garrett, who has played in all four games, is just 3-for-5, but has three touchdown passes. He's thrown for 68 yards.

All three have factored into the Broncho rushing attack as well.

Garrett has 111 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. Collins has 90 yards on 23 carries and one score. Calhoon has 40 yards on 14 carries.

The receiving corps is as diversified as the quarterback position. Those 10 touchdown passes have gone to eight different receivers. A total of 13 receivers have made a catch this season.

Basks leads the charge with his 17 catches and 304 yards. Amonte Phillips has nine catches for 128 yards and one touchdown. Mekail Hall has nine catches for 123 yards and one touchdown. Josh Moore (7-91) also has two touchdowns.

Defensively, Central Oklahoma is led by two linebackers and two defensive backs that are active and hard-hitting playmakers who find their way to the ball on nearly every play.

Jakarri Hunt is the team leader with 29 tackles, including two in the backfield, and he also has a pair of passes broken up. Jeremiah Hill has 27 tackles, one for a loss, and one pass defended. He also has one QB hurry. Bryan Burns and O'Shay Harris both have 24 tackles this season. Harris, a preseason All-American has three passes broken up.

UCO has forced eight fumbles this season and recovered six of them. The Bronchos also have one interception. Central boasts a plus-5 turnover margin through four weeks of play.

Central Oklahoma will continue alternation home and away games as UCO hits the road next week to take on Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. The Bronchos return home in Week 7 to host Missouri Western.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Dustin Basks: WR; 5' 9"; Senior

#30 Bryan Burns: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#18 Keats Calhoon: QB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#7 Will Collins: QB; 6' 2"; Junior

#16 Chandler Garrett: QB; 6' 4"; Junior

#17 Mekail Hall: WR; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#14 O'Shay Harris: DB; 6' 1"; Senior

#36 Jeremiah Hill: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

#6 Jakarri Hunt: DB; 5' 11"; Senior

#11 Amonte Phillips: WR; 6' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#5 Dustin Basks
: 5' 9"; Senior
: WR

#30 Bryan Burns
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

#18 Keats Calhoon
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: QB

#7 Will Collins
: 6' 2"; Junior
: QB

#16 Chandler Garrett
: 6' 4"; Junior
: QB

#17 Mekail Hall
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: WR

#14 O'Shay Harris
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DB

#36 Jeremiah Hill
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB

#6 Jakarri Hunt
: 5' 11"; Senior
: DB

#11 Amonte Phillips
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: WR