November 16th, 2024 5:15pm
From UCO Sports Information
A dominating defensive performance in the first quarter of improbable proportion set the stage for Central Oklahoma's MIAA Championship trophy celebration at Chad Richison Stadium Saturday afternoon.
UCO 55, Emporia State 38
Central Oklahoma held Emporia State to minus-11 yards of total offense in the first quarter. The Bronchos scored on the game's opening drive and added another to go up 14-0 after the first frame.
The Bronchos continued the dominance on defense into the second quarter, and after a 57-yard touchdown pass from Dawson Herl to Terrill Davis made it 21-0, the defense forced a change at quarterback by Emporia, benching Gunnar Gundy after the second drive of the quarter. Central has four QB sacks to prompt the shift.
Emporia finally got on the board with the score later in the quarter and the game went to halftime 21-7.
In the second half, the scoring frenzy took pace.
UCO outscored Emporia 14-10 in the third quarter, and ESU had a 21-17 advantage in the final frame, but never got close to the No. 1 offense in the country.
Central Oklahoma put up 680 yards of total offense, setting a new school record for most yards in a single game.
Herl, who led UCO to come-from-behind wins in each of the last two weeks on the road, started on Senior Day and the Independence, Missouri native was on target. Herl threw for 368 yards on 30 of 48 passing with two touchdowns. His 47-yard strike to Davis highlighted the early rally. He added a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Dunn in the fourth quarter.
Herl also ran for 74 yards and a touchdown. He scored on an 8-yard rush to make it 14-0 in the first quarter. He also scampered for a 59-yard rush in the fourth to setup the Dunn touchdown pass.
Davis, who has set numerous records this season, was at it again on Saturday. He caught 15 passes for 203 yards and the one touchdown. The junior wide receiver is the first player in school history to have three 200-yard games in a single season. His 15 catches Saturday tied the school record, which he set last month.
Jaylen Cottrell and William Mason led a rushing attack that couldn't be stopped either.
Cottrell ran for 112 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. He had a huge 41-yard score in the third quarter. Mason, a sophomore, bullied his way to 86 yards on 12 carries and a career-performance of three rushing touchdowns.
A host of Bronchos led that defensive effort Saturday.
Jack Puckett had 12 tackles, 2.5 behind the line, one sack, and two QB hurries. Connor Johnson had 10 tackles, two behind the line, and one sack. Dylan Buchheit finished with eight tackles, one behind the line, and also broke up two passes. His interception in the third quarter setup Cottrell's touchdown.
Wesley Hudson also had a QB sack. JK Moore also had an interception. UCO finished with eight tackles in the backfield for a total loss of 29 yards. The Bronchos had the two interceptions and broke up six passes while hurrying the two Emporia quarterbacks three times.
Central Oklahoma won the MIAA Championship for the first time since joining the league in 2012. A trophy presentation on field culminated a season of highlights for UCO. The Bronchos now move on to the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and UCO is set to host a playoff game for the first time since 1998.
That officially is contingent on the NCAA Selection Show, scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday. The Bronchos were fourth in the region entering the final week of the season and would host if the rankings remain the same. Each of the teams ranked in the latest rankings all won.