Edmond Life and Leisure - November 21, 2024

UCO wins Conference

Team marches into playoffs with a 10-1 record

PHOTOS BY UCO PHOTO SERVICESHead Coach Adam Dorrel, MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy, UCO President Todd G. Lamb, UCO First Lady Monica Lamb, and UCO Vice President for Athletics Stan Wagnon prepare for the trophy presentation on stage following the game.

Central Oklahoma president Todd Lamb proudly proclaimed Saturday that UCO has ‘the best football team in Oklahoma.”

His remarks came shortly after the Bronchos beat Emporia State 55-38 Saturday at home. The win upped the team’s record to 10-1 and, more importantly earned the MIAA title for the Bronchos. It also qualified UCO for the playoffs. They will host a playoff game at Chad Richison Stadium this Saturday.

Central Oklahoma is returning to the NCAA Division II Football Championships for the first time since 2003 and the Bronchos learned their postseason position with the announcement of the 28-team bracket Sunday night.

UCO will be the No. 4 seed in Super Region III and will host a first-round playoff game against Ouachita Baptist Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. The postseason contest at Chad Richison Stadium will be the first home playoff game in Edmond since the 1998 season.

Central Oklahoma posted a 10-1 record this year, with a 9-1 mark in the MIAA. The Bronchos won the league title for the first time since joining the league in 2012.

Ouachita Baptist, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, also went 10-1 this season and won the Great American Conference title.

See Page 12 for an account of UCO’s win Saturday

PHOTOS BY UCO PHOTO SERVICES

Sophomore running back William Mason (22) runs the ball.