Four turnovers buried the University of Central Oklahoma in a 14-10 loss at Washburn on Sunday, Sept. 20, dropping the Bronchos to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play.

UCO outgained the Ichabods 359 yards to 202 but lost three fumbles and threw one interception, according to UCentral Media. The Bronchos fumbled five times total and lost the turnover battle 4-2.

Quarterback Jett Huff finished 27-of-42 passing for 271 yards and scored UCO's only touchdown on the ground. He also led the team with 46 rushing yards on 14 carries.

But his interception with 1:30 left sealed the loss. UCO had taken possession at its own 20-yard line trailing by four and drove to the Washburn 49.

On second-and-four, Huff's pass was picked off by Washburn linebacker J.C. Heim at the Washburn 40, ending the comeback bid.

Heim earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and the game-sealing interception. Earlier, he anchored a goal-line stand that held UCO to a field goal after the Bronchos reached the Ichabod 1-yard line.

Freshman receiver Tahkari Bethel continued his strong start, catching seven passes for 99 yards. He ranks second in the MIAA in receiving yards and first among freshmen. Makel Paiva added five catches for 56 yards, and Zayden Martinez had three receptions for 47 yards.

On defense, linebacker Reese Roller posted a career-high 14 tackles, three tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Christian Cooper added eight tackles. Chris Fitzpatrick recorded five tackles, two for loss and a forced fumble. The unit held Washburn to 101 rushing yards and 101 passing yards and forced six punts.

Homecoming brings No. 7 Northwest Missouri to Edmond

UCO returns to Chad Richison Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, for Homecoming against No. 7 Northwest Missouri State. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The Bearcats are 4-0 under second-year head coach John McMenamin, the reigning MIAA Coach of the Year, who is 13-3 since taking over the program, KQ2 reported. Northwest Missouri won its most recent game 65-3 and beat UCO by more than 20 points a year ago.

"I'm having a lot more fun to be honest," McMenamin told KQ2 on Tuesday, Sept. 22. "These kids are so good."

Still, UCO has won the last three matchups against the Bearcats played in Edmond, according to UCentral Media. The 12,000-seat stadium features a waterfall in the south end zone added during a 2021 renovation, according to NCAA.com.

The UCO Alumni Association and the Downtown Edmond Business Association have lined Broadway with UCO banners and bronze and blue bows for the week, according to UCentral Media.

The game is UCO's first home contest of the MIAA season.