SWOSU Readies for Bronchos

October 15, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University has its best chance to climb into the hunt for the Lone Star Conference North football race if it can knock off longtime rival and current front runner Central Oklahoma this afternoon in Weatherford. 

SWOSU, 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the division, can draw even with the Bronchos atop the LSC standings with a victory. UCO enters as winners of three straight and carry a 3-4 overall record and a 2-0 division mark. The Bronchos are clear of a crowded field chasing them which includes SWOSU, East Central, Texas A&M-Commerce and Southeastern all just a game back.

Last year five teams ended up tying for the North Division crown with a 3-2 mark. The two previous times SWOSU and UCO have met only a field goal has separated them. SWOSU was 25-22 winners in 2006 and UCO won last year at Edmond in a defensive struggle, 10-7. 

SWOSU Coach Ryan Held could not have asked for better motivation than to have the Bronchos on his home field with so much at stake. 

“This is our Blue Letter Game,” Held said. “This is the one we highlight on the schedule. This is the game our players, our alumni and our coaching staff want to win more than any other.” 

The Bulldogs have done just that, winning 24 times in the series that dates back more than 100 years. SWOSU has beaten UCO more times than any other Broncho opponent. 

Quarterback Steve Day, a product of Edmond Santa Fe High School, will also have motivation against his hometown team.  He needs just 148 passing yards to break the school’s all-time mark of 4,642 held by Grant Pitt in the early 1990’s. 

Defensively, another SWOSU player is nearing record book mentioning as well. Linebacker Ruzell McCoy leads the LSC in tackles for losses with 15 and needs just two more to break the school’s career mark of 46 set by Russell Radford.