It was a battle through the first three quarters as UNK led No. 25 Central Oklahoma 17-14. One disaster play flipped the script, helping the Bronchos tame the Lopers 32-17.
Late in the third quarter, the Bronchos were driving down the field after UNK had just kicked a go-ahead field goal. Central Oklahoma quarterback Jett Huff dropped back for a pass that was intercepted by Loper cornerback Kendall Brewer, made a play up the field, but then backtracked back into the end zone and was tackled for a safety. Instead of a play ending drive, it turned into two points and the ball back for the Bronchos.
Coach Ryan Held said a play like that was difficult to overcome.
“It’s a deflator, those are hard to come back,” Held said. “It’s just one of those we lost kind of where we’re at. He’s a really good football player. So, he’s trying to make a play so I can’t fault him for that.”
From there, Central Oklahoma took over and used that momentum to score 18 straight points to take down UNK at home.
The offense also couldn’t put a drive together after the safety, with two three-and-outs in the fourth quarter, and a failed fourth-down conversion to help give Central Oklahoma the big road victory.
UNK also shot themself in the foot with penalties, with 11 for 104 yards. UNK is averaging over 90 penalty yards per game through the first three games of the season.
“We’re not good enough against a good football team to not be able to execute those,” Held said. “There was things we liked and things we did and we’re right there but it just wasn’t good enough today.”
The Central Oklahoma offense dominated most of the afternoon, with 29 first downs compared to just 15 for the Lopers. The Bronchos also had 437 total yards of offense.
The biggest positive again for UNK was winning the turnover battle. The Loper defense forced two interceptions, both from Brewer and the UNK special teams recovered a fumbled punt return by David Lilly.
Quarterback Reagan Jones led the offense again for the Lopers, going 13-26 with 144 yards and a touchdown, leading the rushing attack as well with nine carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.
There is a lot to like from UNK and learning opportunities as the season continues.
“Our effort is really good,” Held said. “We’re getting penalties within the effort that are really hurting us but we play really hard so I don’t want to pull the reins back. We just have to be able to be smart.”
UNK hits the road for their first road MIAA contest, taking on Central Missouri, another nationally ranked team in Central Missouri at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
