The University of Central Oklahoma beat seventh-ranked Northwest Missouri 19-14 on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond. Four turnovers and four field goals from freshman kicker Bradley Thao powered the homecoming upset.

The Bronchos improved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play. Northwest Missouri, which entered the game 3-0 and had averaged 48 points per contest, was held scoreless over the final three quarters, according to UCentral Media.

The Bearcats looked dominant early. They opened with a 75-yard touchdown drive and built a 14-7 lead before the first quarter ended. They racked up 174 yards on 19 plays in that opening period alone.

Then UCO's defense locked down.

Northwest Missouri managed just 98 yards over the final three quarters. Defensive back Reese Roller recorded eight tackles and two interceptions. That gave UCO more picks in one game than it had recorded all season entering Saturday. Bryant Coley added a third interception.

Defensive lineman Chris Fitzpatrick led the effort with nine tackles and two sacks. One of those sacks forced a fumble that Cameron Done recovered. Done, who finished with four tackles, said after the game he had been waiting for this matchup.

"I just had a sour taste in my mouth from last year when we lost, so I was always just waiting on the game," Done said. "I anticipated winning."

On offense, running back Ja'Daniel Nettles posted a season-high 114 yards on 18 carries and caught seven passes for 36 yards. Quarterback Jett Huff completed 20 of 36 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown but also threw an interception. He added 47 rushing yards.

UCO's lone touchdown came on a 28-yard pass from Huff to Makel Paiva in the first quarter. It was Paiva's first touchdown as a Broncho.

After that, Thao took over the scoring. The Bixby native connected from 46, 22, 27 and 23 yards. His 27-yard kick with 6:58 left in the third quarter gave UCO its first lead at 16-14. His fourth field goal in the fourth quarter provided the final margin.

Head coach Adam Dorrel emphasized the importance of home-field advantage on Friday, Sept. 25, saying his players take pride in protecting their home stadium, according to a pre-game preview. The win backed up that talk. UCO has now beaten the Bearcats in four straight games in Edmond. Northwest Missouri's last victory at Chad Richison Stadium came in 2016.

Zacary Stilwell recorded a sack on the Bearcats' final possession to help seal the win.

UCO travels to Central Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 3, for a 7 p.m. kickoff in Warrensburg, Missouri, then returns home Saturday, Oct. 10, to host Fort Hays State.