Even though it was a loss, the Lincoln Blue Tigers took a big step forward last weekend against Northeastern State.
Heading into today's kickoff against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos, the Blue Tigers are hoping to take another step forward, rather than a step backward.
Lincoln head coach Malik Hoskins wants to see his team build off last week's 49-48 overtime loss to the RiverHawks, a game in which the Blue Tigers quadrupled their point total from the previous two weeks combined.
"When adversity hits, we tend to take a step back instead of taking a step forward," Hoskins said. "I was happy to see them believe in what they were coached to do."
Lincoln exceeded 600 yards of total offense, with quarterback Zamar Brake throwing for a school single-game record of 454 yards passing against Northeastern State.
"As the records show, there hasn't been an output like that on the offensive side of the ball in a long time here at Lincoln," Hoskins said. "Hopefully, with our young, impressionable minds, we don't stay with that. We want to take that and build with it."
The Blue Tigers also came up big defensively and on special teams against the RiverHawks. Lincoln came through with a fourth-down stop at the 5-yard line late in the second quarter, then blocked what would have been a game-winning field goal from 25 yards out as time expired in the fourth quarter.
"They played decent throughout the game," Hoskins said. "You can't take them away, but if you take away the big plays, the defense played a really solid football game.
"But if we don't give up those explosive plays, we're sitting here talking about something totally different."
Central Oklahoma (1-3) has lost its past three games after winning its season opener 24-20 against Missouri Western. The Bronchos fell 38-0 last Saturday to Northwest Missouri, the No. 2 team in the AFCA Division II Top 25 poll.
The focal point of Central Oklahoma's offense will be junior quarterback Stephon Brown (6-foot-5, 220 pounds), who leads the Bronchos with 173 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
In the passing game, Brown is 46-of-78 for 431 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
"He's scary good," Hoskins said. "One, he's physically imposing. He makes them go. If we can find some way to corral him, and possibly force him to put the ball in the air as opposed to tucking it away and running it, I think we stand a good chance of being successful."
Five receivers have seven or more catches this season for Central Oklahoma. The leading receiver is senior Josh Moore (5-10, 180), who has 11 catches for 90 yards. Junior Markiese King (5-8, 180) has a team-high 110 yards receiving on seven catches and one score.
"It's a team effort," Hoskins said. "I think the scheme and the concepts that they run on the offensive side of the ball doesn't earmark one person. It's a progression, and he does a really good job of going through his progression."
Sophomore Payton Scott (5-5, 175) starts at running back for the Bronchos, but freshman Jayce Gardner (5-11, 215) has more carries (33) and more rushing yards (130).
"They're 1A and 1B," Hoskins said. "Jayce is the bigger of the two, but Payton getting behind those big guys up front, it's hard to locate him. We have to make sure we're disciplined with our eyes and play good, sound defense."
Through four games, the Bronchos are averaging 13.8 points per game - scoring just 14 points total in the second half this season - and allowing an average of 25.8.
Central Oklahoma operates out of a four-man front defense.
"They have multiple coverages out of the back end, mainly man-to-man," Hoskins said. "But they're going to give us a lot of different looks."
Junior defensive end Michael Slater (6-2, 290) has been a strong presence on the defensive line for the Bronchos. While he only has 12 tackles through four games, he has 7.5 tackles for loss, along with 1.5 sacks.
"I remember Michael from 2019, he wreaked havoc then and he's still wreaking havoc now," Hoskins said. "He's going to wreak havoc until he leaves UCO, and I'm going to be glad when he leaves.
"Not only is his motor high, he's disciplined, and he's sound in his technique."
Sophomore free safety Dylan Buchheit (6-1, 190) leads Central Oklahoma with 33 total tackles, including 24 solo stops. He also has an interception, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
"That's normally not what you want to see, a defensive back leading the team in tackles," Hoskins said, "but that's the scheme they run. They do a good job of putting their free safety and strong safety in the run game."
Hoskins said the focus at practice this week has been on finishing and playing with energy.
"We belong," he said. "No matter what the records say, no matter what the logo on their helmet says, no matter what the logo on our helmet says, we belong on the football field with each team that we play.
"Once we get in that mindset, I think we're going to be a much better football team."
Kickoff for today's game is at 2 p.m. at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Okla.
Notes: Central Oklahoma leads the all-time series 3-0 against Lincoln. The Bronchos won 63-0 in their 2019 matchup. The Blue Tigers rank last in Division II with 65.7 points allowed per game, but last weekend's seven-touchdown output moved Lincoln up to No. 116 in Division II with 20 points per game. Central Oklahoma ranks 142nd in points scored per game. Brake ranks fifth in the MIAA and 62nd in Division II with 784 yards passing. Lincoln running back Hosea Franklin rushed for 115 yards against Northeastern State. It was the first 100-yard rushing performance for Franklin since Week 10 of the 2019 season, when he had 119 yards rushing against Central Missouri.