Football 4/15/2026 2:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Hosts SNU In Spring Football Exhibition

Bronchos Welcome Crimson Storm Saturday At 6 p.m. At Chad Richison Stadium

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma hosts Southern Nazarene Saturday in a Spring exhibition at Chad Richison Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

This is the third year the NCAA has allowed outside competition for spring football and the second year UCO and SNU meet for the exhibition contest.

Central Oklahoma has 64 players back from last year's squad that went 6-5 and finished third in the MIAA. That includes 11 starters and 49 with games played. Southern Nazarene went 2-9 in the Great American Conference last season and has 38 returners who appeared in a game for the Crimson Storm.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Tickets are $10 and all seating is general admission. Fans can purchase tickets prior to arrival at bronchosports.com/tickets or at the gate.

Gate F on the west side of the stadium and Gate L on the east side of the stadium will be open and fans can purchase tickets upon arrival. UCO has a clear bag policy.

Central Oklahoma is hosting Junior Day and all recruits and families will enter at Gate L.

Parking is open. Central Oklahoma's baseball team is hosting the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith at 2 p.m. at Wendell Simmons Field. UCO's reserved spots in Lot 53 west of the stadium will not be reserved for Saturday.

ON THE OFFENSE

Quarterback Jett Huff leads UCO again as he prepares for his senior year this fall. The All-American QB has four school records through two years taking snaps at Central and he has the second, third, and fourth most passing yards for a single game in UCO history. Huff has nine 300-yard passing games in his career.

Dev Mathews led Central Oklahoma with 10 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. He had 579 rushing yards on 90 carries, 6.4 yards per carry.

UCO's receiving room is slimmed down for the spring. Javohn Thomas (18-244) and Mathews (10-67) lead the returners. Zayden Martinez, Gage Keaton, Braden Turner, C.J. Williams, Jaxon Laminack, Andrew Carney, Zane Zielny, and Huff himself, all caught passes last year. Gavin Cunningham, Caden Rowe, Colton Neal, and Talan Holmes were all on the squad last year and will be suited up on Saturday.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Zacary Stilwell, Cameron Done, Bradyn Smith, Ethan Stites, and Servhant Counsellor are some of the defensive linemen that are back after seeing plenty of time last fall. Done had 27 tackles, 7.5 in the backfield, and 5.5 sacks last season. He was credited with five QB hurries and broke up two passes.

Reese Roller was fourth on the team with 42 tackles, including nine in the backfield, and he returns to lead the linebacker group. Kazeyn Bird, Hank Puckett, and Talon Kendrick all return as well.

Antwan Gilbreath's two interceptions led the team a year ago. He leads a group of defensive backs that return. David Williams, Bryant Coley, Marcus Works, and Abner Dubar are all back as well to help Central's defensive unit.

SPECIALISTS

While kickoffs and punts won't be live this Saturday, Central Oklahoma has Ethan Spiwak and Greg McDonnell returning as kickers and Zack Stone and Tyler Madsen are new punters on the roster.

SCOUTING SNU

Southern Nazarene running back Kaden Manuel ran for 332 yards and three touchdowns last season and is back for Saturday's Spring Game. Jaxon Worley is the lone returning quarterback for the Crimson Storm. Cody Conaway, who had 186 yards and one touchdown, is the leading returning receiver. Dezmond Williams, who had 51 tackles and one interception, is the leading tackler that is returning.

SERIES HISTORY

Central Oklahoma and Southern Nazarene have never played a countable football game. The two met in April 2021 for an exhibition game following the canceled 2020 season, and last April in another exhibition.

SEASON OPENER

Central Oklahoma opens the 2026 season August 28 at current NAIA and soon-to-be Division II program Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth. After a Week 1 bye, UCO will play at Division I Central Arkansas Sept. 12 before opening MIAA play at Washburn Sept. 19. The Bronchos make their home debut Sept. 26 against Northwest Missouri.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Kazeyn Bird: LB; 5' 11"; Junior

#18 Andrew Carney: TE; 6' 1"; Senior

#13 Gavin Cunningham: WR; 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

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

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

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

#6 Dev Mathews: RB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#84 Colton Neal: WR; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#31 Hank Puckett: LB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#33 Reese Roller: LB; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#13 Kazeyn Bird
: 5' 11"; Junior
: LB

#18 Andrew Carney
: 6' 1"; Senior
: TE

#13 Gavin Cunningham
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: WR

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

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

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

#6 Dev Mathews
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: RB

#84 Colton Neal
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: WR

#31 Hank Puckett
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: LB

#33 Reese Roller
: 5' 10"; Junior
: LB