UCO delivers 59 point performance to remain undefeated

The Central Oklahoma football team went into the Missouri Southern Lion’s Den last Saturday and walked out unscathed with a 59-24 victory in Joplin, Missouri to remain undefeated on the season. 

The 17th ranked Bronchos had another dominant performance on the offensive side of the ball, scoring 50 or more points in three of their five games this season. 

The Bronchos traveled to a city they hadn’t won in since 2018 and walked out with a long sought-after victory. The offense of the Bronchos would remain balanced as Central would have 361 yards by air and 237 on the ground. 

The big play was the difference in the game, as four of UCO’s eight touchdowns were on plays of 50-yards or more. 

Jaylen Cottrell began his impressive day on the third play of the game with a 67-yard rushing touchdown to set the tone for the ‘Chos. Ashton Schumann would be the breakout receiver of the game with four catches for 112-yards, which featured a 61-yard touchdown from Jett Huff to boost the Bronchos lead to 14-0 early in the first quarter. 

Terrill Davis would have a quieter game compared to his stellar performance against Fort Hays State but still made an impact, with six catches for 108-yards and a 59-yard touchdown in the first quarter. 

Missouri Southern wouldn’t be able to get close to matching the score thanks to the Bronchos defense, who held the Lions to just a single touchdown in the first three quarters. The defense of Central put the 1-5 Missouri Southern team into a pressure cooker with nine tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. The Bronchos did cough up the ball twice on fumbles and lost one late into the third quarter with the game out of reach. 

The ‘Chos have been fortunate to take their foot off the gas in these last two games, as they gave up 17 points to the Lions in a fourth quarter where the game was all but over, against Fort Hays State last week, the Bronchos allowed two touchdowns to the Tigers as the game was winding down. That luxury probably won’t be available to the Bronchos this Saturday as the Northwest Missouri Bearcats come into town, sporting a 4-2 record after starting the year 0-2. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Chad Richison Stadium.