November 23rd, 2024 4:50pm
Zane Adams and Hunter Largent combined for the seventh UCO sack of the game to propel Central Oklahoma to a 38-31 overtime victory against Ouachita Baptist in the NCAA Division II Football Championship First Round game at Chad Richison Stadium.
UCO made its first appearance in the playoffs in 21 years and earned its first win 25 years with Saturday's overtime thriller in Edmond. The Bronchos led throughout the game before a late rally by OBU prompted a Central comeback.
And the Bronchos did just that.
Trailing 28-24 with 3:18 to play in the game, Jett Huff led the Bronchos down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to give UCO a 31-28 lead. Huff hit Jacob Delso for a 12-yard touchdown pass with Delso making a highlight snag dragging his feet on the sideline while reaching above his hands for the grab and the score.
OBU though marched right back down the field and kicked a game-tying field goal with five seconds left to force overtime.
The GAC Champion Tigers from Arkadelphia, Arkansas won the overtime coin toss and chose defense. But Huff moved UCO to the 3-yard line on three plays, then hit Delso again for a touchdown to give UCO a 38-31 lead.
Ouachita picked up one first down in overtime, but on the fifth play of the drive, OBU threw an incomplete pass and it was 4th & 5 from the UCO 7-yard line.
Ouachita's backup quarterback was in the game after UCO knocked out the starter for the second consecutive week. He dropped back to pass with the game on the line but Adams and Largent collapsed on him for the game-ending sack.