September 27th, 2026 12:30am
EDMOND – Central Oklahoma upset No. 7 Northwest Missouri 19-14 Saturday night at Chad Richison Stadium.
UCO improved to 2-2 on the season with the win and 1-1 in the MIAA. The Bronchos have beat Northwest in each of the last four meetings in Edmond. Northwest Missouri (3-1, 2-1 MIAA) hasn't won in Edmond since 2016.
"I'm so proud of our guys," UCO head football coach Adam Dorrel said. "I'm really proud of our fans, our university, everyone involved. Our guys fed off it and played really well. Our defense was phenomenal and got it done."
The game began as an offensive shootout. Northwest Missouri went 75 yards on 10 plays in 4:26 to go up 7-0. Then UCO went 75 yards on four plays in 1:54 to tie it up, 7-7. Then another touchdown drive for Northwest, this time 75 yards on eight plays in 3:32 to go ahead 14-7.
But that was it for the Bearcats. UCO's defense didn't waver again.
The Bronchos gave up 174 yards on 19 plays in the first quarter. UCO gave up 272 yards on 62 plays by the end of the game.
Central only allowed 138 passing yards and intercepted three passes. UCO allowed 134 rushing yards and recovered a fumble.
Chris Fitzpatrick led the way with nine tackles and two sacks. It was one of those sacks that forced a fumble. Cameron Done, who made four tackles, recovered the fumble.
Reese Roller had eight tackles and two interceptions – more than the Bronchos had all season prior to Saturday night. Bryant Coley also had an interception on the night. Zacary Stilwell also had a sack on the final possession of the game.
Jett Huff went 20-for-36 for 175 yards and a touchdown. He threw one interception. Huff also rushed for 47 yards.
Ja'Daniel Nettles rushed for a season-high 114 yards on 18 carries – an average of 6.3 yards per carry. Nettles also had seven receptions for 36 yards. Makel Paiva had five receptions for 45 and a touchdown.
Paiva caught his first touchdown pass as a Broncho in the first quarter when Huff connected with him for a 28-yard score that tied the game, 7-7.
The rest of the points came from freshman kicker Bradley Thao.
The Bixby product hit a 46-yard field goal to make it 14-10 in the second quarter, then a 22-yarder to make it 14-13 as time expired for halftime. Thao made a 27-yard field goal with 6:58 to play in the third quarter to give the Bronchos a 16-13 lead. Then he hit a 23-yarder in the fourth quarter to make it the final, 19-13.
Central Oklahoma goes back on the road next week, playing at Central Missouri next Saturday at 7 p.m. in Warrensburg. The Bronchos return home Oct. 10 against Fort Hays State.