Football 8/17/2026 11:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

Meet the Bronchos Thursday Night

Central Oklahoma Hosting Annual Intrasquad Scrimmage

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma is hosting its annual Meet the Bronchos Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Chad Richison Stadium.

The annual intrasquad scrimmage is open to the public. Concessions will be offered. The team will run a 90-play intrasquad scrimmage beginning with the 7 p.m. kickoff.

"We've had a good fall camp and we're excited to continue working toward that first game next week," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "We always enjoy Meet the Bronchos night as a chance to showcase our new team to the students, faculty, and staff, and our community."

Central Oklahoma began fall camp on Thursday, Aug. 6 and has spent the past two weeks preparing for the quickly approaching new season. The team was off Monday for the first day of school and will come out of Meet the Bronchos night into game week. UCO opens the 2026 season in Week Zero at Texas Wesleyan.

Central is taking over Fort Worth, Texas with a Texas Tailgate, Thursday, Aug. 27 at Crowley ISD. The pregame festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. in the multipurpose stadium parking lot.

The UCO-TWU game kicks off at 6 p.m.

Dorrel enters his fifth season at UCO this fall. The 15th-year head football coach has a 123-58 overall record and is 28-18 in four seasons at Central. Dorrel led the Bronchos to the MIAA title and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Football Championship in 2024. The Bronchos reached the second round of the playoffs.

UCO has more than 60 players returning from 2025 on this year's roster. That includes 11 starters (five offense and six defense).

The Bronchos have a bye in Week 1 and will travel to Central Arkansas in Week 2, taking on a Division I opponent for the first time since 2011. UCO is on the road again in Week 3, opening MIAA play at Washburn.

The 2026 home opener for Central Oklahoma is Saturday, Sept. 26 against Northwest Missouri. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will also be Central's annual Homecoming celebration.

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