By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Western football team was dominating the first half of play at Central Oklahoma on Saturday, leading 20-0 with only two minutes left before halftime.
UCO put a field goal on the board before halftime, scored 14 unanswered to begin the second half, and eventually, the Bronchos were ahead 31-27 with 4:39 to go in the game.
Missouri Western (2-1, 1-1 MIAA) kept its cool and marched 65 yards on 10 plays in the waning minutes, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 1:25 left.
Quarterback Armani Edden found receiver Jonas Bennett on a 10-yard score to put the Griffons up three inside the final 90 seconds.
UCO got the ball back with a timeout left, but an interception by Griffons' cornerback Taylor Williams with 39 seconds left sealed the deal, and Missouri Western came out with a 34-31 win in Edmond on Saturday at Chad Richison Stadium.
Missouri Western held UCO to just 139 total yards in the first half, including only 21 yards rushing.
The Bronchos (1-2) hit back, scoring touchdowns on each of their first drives in the second half, and ultimately going on a 31-7 run to take their first lead in the closing five minutes.
Yet, the Griffons were turnover free on offense for the second week in a row, and racked up 452 total yards.
Edden completed 19-of-30 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. Running back Brandon Hall gained 109 yards on 11 carries. Bennett finished with nine carries for 96 yards and the game-winning score.
Running back Seth Cromwell finished with four carries for 13 yards and three touchdowns.
Dakari Streeter recorded 1.5 sacks for the Griffon defense. Kienen Gaskin led the way with eight total tackles.
UCO quarterback Stephon Brown was 15-of-23 for 223 yards and two interceptions. He was picked off by Missouri Western's Jaden Brown late in the second quarter deep on the Bronchos' own end, leading to a Griffon touchdown right before halftime.
UCO running back Trevon Woolfolk piled up 124 yards on 14 carries and finished with two touchdowns. Jacob Delso led the Bronchos on the receiving end with five catches for 103 yards.
UCO finished with 408 yards of offense in all, averaging 7.3 yards per play.
Missouri Western is back home to host Fort Hays State on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game can be heard on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) with pregame starting at 5.
Tyler Fenwick, Jonas Bennett interview
Full broadcast
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