Football 3/17/2026 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos To Visit Central Arkansas In September

UCO Playing Division I FCS Opponent For First Time In 15 Years

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma is playing a Division I opponent in football this fall when the Bronchos visit Central Arkansas Sept. 12 for a Week 2 matchup.

It's been 15 years since UCO last played up a division, taking on FCS Cal Poly in San Louis Obispo, California during the 2011 season. Central Oklahoma will travel to Conway, Arkansas where the Bears play at Estes Stadium famed for its purple and gray striped turf.

"It's not often we get a chance to test ourselves against the next level of competition, so I appreciate Central Arkansas for the invitation," UCO Vice President for Athletics Stan Wagnon said. "I know our players and coaches look forward to representing UCO and the MIAA in Conway."

"This is a really good opportunity for us and it will certainly be a tough test," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "I think it's great we even have the chance to play a Division I opponent not everyone gets to do that. It'll be a memorable experience for our guys."

Central Oklahoma and Central Arkansas do have some history. The schools played in three consecutive seasons from 1953-55, with the Bronchos winning each matchup. UCO won 27-7 in Edmond in 1953, 21-20 in Conway in 1954, and then 66-12 back in Edmond during the 1955 season.

UCA won three NAIA national championships in 1984, 1985, and 1991 before transitioning to Division II in 1993. The Bears then moved up to Division I FCS in 2007. Central Arkansas football competes in the United Athletic Conference while its other sports compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference. UCA went 3-9 in 2025, including a 2-3 record at home.

Central Oklahoma went 6-5 in 2025 and finished third in the MIAA after winning the league title in 2024. Dorrel enters his fifth season at UCO in 2026 and has a 28-18 record with the Bronchos.

UCO began spring football practice last week and is taking this week off for Spring Break. The Bronchos will then practice three days per week over the next four weeks leading up to an exhibition game against Southern Nazarene on April 18 at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.

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