EDMOND, Okla. -- Jennifer and I went to the home opener for the University of Central Oklahoma (our alma mater). We've got a streak with UCO football. We've been to every home game for quite a few years. We even travel to Weatherford to see them play Southwestern.The Bronchos (1-2) looked very inconsistent. Quarterback Justin Allgood had the fourth-best passing game in school history, hitting 22-of-39 attempts for 397 yards. However, Allgood threw two interceptions.
That was the key in the 44-31 loss to West Texas A&M -- missed opportunities.
UCO was 3-of-6 inside the red zone while WTAMU (3-0) was 5-of-5. Tailback Seymore Shaw, who transferred from nearby D-1 school Oklahoma State, also lost a fumble.
West Texas A&M quarterback Dalton Bell took advantage of great protection from his offensive line, throwing for 463 yards.
Bell completed 32 passes and used eight different receivers -- at times, picking apart the Central Oklahoma secondary.
It was a great experience at the newly renovated Wantland Stadium. Most of the renovations are new skyboxes, press boxes and a concourse area. They also added better box seats and reserved seating. The outside of the stadium also been bricked in. It was a very nice finish to the many improvements in recent years (new turf, jumbotron scoreboard, etc.).The biggest improvements to Wantland in the past years are the turf and the visitors' bleachers.
The natural grass at Wantland took a beating. All three Edmond high schools play at UCO. By October (especially if it rained), it was like playing football in the mud.
The visitors' bleachers used to be up above the bowl area of the stadium. You might as well watch the game from another county. This year, they built stands on the hill of the bowl. It is much better looking and I bet you have a much better view.
Below is a view of the press box in 2004.
The Bronchos are on the road for 2 weeks. They return home for Homecoming on October 1 against Southwestern. They're a big rival and Jennifer loathes them.
Oddly enough, the best man at my wedding -- Jerome Alexander -- is a proud Southwestern grad.
