Football 7/28/2025 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

UCO Picked First In MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll

Central Oklahoma Tabbed Second In MIAA Preseason Media Poll

EMPORIA, Kan. – The MIAA announced Monday morning at its annual Football Media Day preseason coaches' and media polls ahead of the 2025 season and Central Oklahoma was picked first and second respectively in the polls.

Central Oklahoma, which won the 2024 MIAA title with an 9-1 record in league play, was picked first in the preseason coaches' poll. Of the 10 league head coaches, who could not for their own team, seven picked Central Oklahoma first. Pittsburg State received the other three first-place votes.

The media poll was opposite, though UCO still received the most first-place votes of 34 total media votes. Pittsburg State received 310 total points with 13 first-place votes. UCO received 307 total points with 18 first-place votes.

Central Oklahoma hosts Pittsburg State in Sept. 6 in Edmond in the first MIAA game of the season for both schools. Both open a week prior with non-conference matchups. UCO will visit UT Permian Basin Aug. 30 in Midland, Texas. Pitt State visits defending national champion Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan Thursday, Aug. 28.

Central head football coach Adam Dorrel returns for his fourth season with the Bronchos in 2025. He returns more than 40 lettermen, 12 starters, and four All-Americans. Of the 12 returning starters, seven come from the offensive side of the ball. UCO led the country in total offense in 2024 at 538.4 yards per game.

Jett Huff, Jaylen Cottrell, and Montriel Lee (MIAA Offensive Lineman of the Year) return on offense after earning All-American honors in 2024. Jack Puckett leads the defense after being named an All-American last season. Dominique Dunn, Ashton Schumann (MIAA Freshman of the Year), Gabe Grazier, and Mac Garner also return on offense.

Puckett is joined by returning starters Johnny Wilson, Willie Rice, Connor Johnson, and David Williams on the defensive side of the ball.

Dorrel has a 117-53 career coaching record and is 22-13 in three seasons at UCO. He went 6-5 in 2022 and 5-6 in 2023 before posting an 11-2 record last fall. The Bronchos won the MIAA title for the first time since joining the league in 2012 and earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Division II Football Championship Super Region IV. Central hosted Ouachita Baptist in the first round of the 28-team playoffs and won 38-31 in overtime. UCO traveled to Big Rapids and lost to FSU in the regional semifinal. The NCAA expanded the postseason championship to 32 teams in 2025.

UCO opens Aug. 30 at Permian Basin and hosts Pitt State in Sept. 6. The Bronchos will be off Sept. 13 before hosting Washburn Sept. 20 in Edmond. Central Oklahoma has road trips to Northwest Missouri Sept. 27, Fort Hays State Oct. 11, Nebraska Kearney Nov. 1, and Missouri Western Nov. 15 in the regular season finale. The Bronchos host Pitt State and Washburn, as well as Central Missouri Oct. 4, Emporia State Oct. 18, Northeastern State Oct. 25, and Missouri Southern Nov. 8 in the home finale.

MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Central Oklahoma (7), 78 points
2. Pittsburg State (3), 75
3. Fort Hays State, 62
4. Central Missouri, 57
5. Emporia State, 50
6. Northwest Missouri, 41
7. Missouri Western, 29
8. Nebraska Kearney, 28
9. Washburn, 21
10. Missouri Southern, 9

MIAA Preseason Media Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Pittsburg State (13), 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma (18), 307
3. Fort Hays State (2), 271
4. Central Missouri (1), 239
5. Northwest Missouri, 215
6. Emporia State, 167
7. Nebraska Kearney, 120
8. Missouri Western, 107
9. Washburn, 88
10. Missouri Southern, 46

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Players Mentioned

#0 Jaylen Cottrell: RB; 6' 2"; Junior

#5 Dominique Dunn: TE; 6' 3"; Junior

#76 Mac Garner: OL; 6' 4"; Junior

#54 Gabe Grazier: OL; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#21 Connor Johnson: LB; 6' 3"; Senior

#52 Montriel Lee: OL; 6' 2"; Junior

#30 Jack Puckett: LB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#4 Johnny Wilson: DL; 6' 3"; Senior

#2 Jett Huff: QB; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#9 Willie Rice: DB; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#0 Jaylen Cottrell
: 6' 2"; Junior
: RB

#5 Dominique Dunn
: 6' 3"; Junior
: TE

#76 Mac Garner
: 6' 4"; Junior
: OL

#54 Gabe Grazier
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: OL

#21 Connor Johnson
: 6' 3"; Senior
: LB

#52 Montriel Lee
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OL

#30 Jack Puckett
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: LB

#4 Johnny Wilson
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DL

#2 Jett Huff
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: QB

#9 Willie Rice
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: DB