Football 9/16/2025 6:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

No. 15 Central Oklahoma Hosts Washburn

Bronchos Return From Bye Week With MIAA Matchup

EDMOND – Football returns after a bye week for Central Oklahoma when the Bronchos host Washburn University Saturday night at Chad Richison Stadium.

Kickoff of scheduled for 7 p.m. UCO is celebrating Family Day this weekend and will have a Blue Out sponsored by Pepsi, including postgame fireworks.

Central Oklahoma is 1-1 this season. The Bronchos went to UT Permian Basin in Week 0 but fell short 34-14 in the non-conference matchup. UCO opened the home schedule in Week 1 with a historic 27-24 win over Pittsburg State. While UCO officially had a bye in Week 0 of 2024, the Bronchos haven't had an in-season off week since 2014, playing 11 games in 11 weeks for the past 10 seasons.

Washburn comes to Edmond 1-2 on the season. The Ichabods of Topeka, Kansas won the 2025 season opener against Truman State, 20-17. WU then lost its MIAA opener to Northwest Missouri, 34-7, in Week 1, and went to Golden, Colorado in Week 2, where it lost 41-27 at Colorado School of Mines. Washburn has a bye in Week 5.

The Bronchos moved up in one poll this week coming off the bye, moving from No. 12 to No. 8 in the D2Football.com media poll. UCO did not move in the AFCA Top 25, remaining at No. 15 in the coaches' poll.

On Saturday, Central and Washburn meet for the 14th time, with all meetings coming since 2011. The Bronchos lead the series, 8-5. UCO aims to win for a third consecutive season, matching the longest streak in the series (2017-19). Central is 4-2 against Washburn in Edmond, including a 41-7 victory two years ago. Last season, the Bronchos blocked a field goal as time expired to win 28-27 in a game that clinched UCO a share of its first MIAA title.

The 2025 version of the UCO Bronchos is also aiming to find the offensive spark that helped Central to a title a year ago. UCO is averaging 20.5 points per game and 386 yards of offense per game after just two contests this year. Central averages 211.0 rushing yards and 175.0 passing yards per game.

Defensively, Central Oklahoma is giving up 29.0 points per game and 402.0 yards of offense per game. Opponents gain 225 passing yards and 177 rushing yards per game through two contests.

The UCO rushing attack is led by Jaylen Cottrell. The sixth-year senior has 181 yards in two games and averages 10.1 yards per carry. Cottrell's 66-yard touchdown run highlighted the win over Pitt State two weeks ago. He has two scores on the season. William Mason has 133 rushing yards and averages 8.3 yards per carry. His 71-yard rush is the longest play from scrimmage this season for the Bronchos. Mason has one rushing touchdown.

The Bronchos were forced to turn to redshirt freshman Clayton Creasey in UCO's win over Pitt. He has six carries for 44 yards, 7.3 per rush, and one 22-yard touchdown. Creasey went 12-for-23 for 137 yards passing two weeks ago. Junior quarterback Jett Huff is 18-for-40 for 213 yards in five quarters of football this season.

The two quarterbacks have connected with a dozen different receivers. Ashton Schumann leads the team with eight receptions for 97 yards. Hagen Hacker (4-47), Javohn Thomas (3-34), C.J. Williams (3-25), and Dominique Dunn (3-24), as well as Gage Keaton (2-24) have all been part of the passing attack.

The UCO defense has been led by Johnny Wilson, who has a team-high 13 tackles. The senior defensive end has three tackles for a loss and one sack, as well as a QB hurry. Connor Johnson has also been all over the field and has 12 tackles. Braden Waters has 11, and Reese Roller has 10 stops.

Wesley Hudson has two tackles for a loss including one sack. Darius Hampton, Roller, and Cameron Done all have one sack in two games as well.

Johnson has a team-best two pass breakups and Antwan Gilbreath has the lone interception of the early season.

Washburn comes to Edmond averaging 18.0 points per game and gives up 30.6 through three contests. Washburn is averaging 252 yards of offense per game and gives up 466.7 yards. The Ichabods average 256.6 passing yards per game and minus-4.7 rushing yards per game. WU gives up 249.0 rushing yards per game and 217.6 passing yards.

Central Oklahoma will make its second road trip of the season next Saturday when the Bronchos visit Northwest Missouri in Maryville. While UCO has won three straight home games against the Bearcats, the Bronchos are 2-6 in Maryville and have not won in Maryville since 1992 (six games).

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

#10 Clayton Creasey: QB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

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

#14 Antwan Gilbreath: DB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#2 Hagen Hacker: WR; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#7 Wesley Hudson: DL; 6' 3"; Junior

#3 Jett Huff: QB; 5' 8"; Junior

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

#23 Gage Keaton: WR; 5' 11"; Senior

#22 William Mason: RB; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#10 Clayton Creasey
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: QB

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

#14 Antwan Gilbreath
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

#2 Hagen Hacker
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: WR

#7 Wesley Hudson
: 6' 3"; Junior
: DL

#3 Jett Huff
: 5' 8"; Junior
: QB

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

#23 Gage Keaton
: 5' 11"; Senior
: WR

#22 William Mason
: 6' 2"; Junior
: RB