2008 Season Review - Central Oklahoma

The beginning of the 2008 season was a rough one for Central Oklahoma for a couple of different reasons.

First off, the well publicized NCAA infractions left many thinking that UCO would just be an afterthought in 2008 and the following years. They were putting their team on the field with their hands tied a bit by the penalties, had a brand new coach (Terry Holland) and offensive system coming in.

Not only would their season start off with those issues, but the beginning of their schedule was brutal. There would be no "easing into" things for UCO, having to face Pitt State, West Texas, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Tarleton the first 4 games of the season. They started the season 0-4 after those games, losing by an average of 24 points per game.

Then there was Week 5 against Commerce. The Bronchos finally caught their first break of the season, facing TAMC without Terry Mayo (ill) and Nabil El-Amin (injured). They would end up beating Commerce 21-13, and would not lose another game the rest of the season.

Things really began clicking for UCO from Week 5 on. From that point on they really starting to put things together, including a 38-33 surprise over Midwestern and a 41-7 blowout of Southeastern Oklahoma.

Their 7-4 season record (5-0 LSC North Record) was good enough to claim the Lone Star North title, and left little doubt that they were the best team in the North in 2008. Head Coach Terry Hardeman won LSC North Coach of the Year, and definitely deserved it. We had pretty rough predictions in the preseason for UCO, and we couldn't have been more wrong. Congrats to the Bronchos on a really good season.

Season Statistics (LSC Ranking)
#6 Scoring Offense
#4 Rushing Defense
#4 Sacks
#3 Opponents' 3rd Down Conversions (29%)
#2 Turnover Margin (+12)
#4 Red Zone Offense (82%)
#2 Red Zone Defense (69%)

#9 Scoring Defense
#10 Rushing Offense
#12 Passing Defense

Season Statistic Leaders (LSC Ranking)
QB Brandon Noohi - #8 Passing Effeciency (116.9), #10 Passing Yards Per Game (180.9) - 2nd LSC North
LB Terrence Hill - #7 Tackles (8.1 pg) - HM LSC North
DL Jermelle Cudjo - #6 Tackles for Loss (15.5) - 1st LSC North
LB Terry Hardeman - #5 Tackles (8.2 pg) - 2nd LSC North
S TJ Shaw - #10 Tackles (7.4 pg), #4 Passes Defended (1.27 pg) - 1st LSC North
LB KC Asiodu - #16 Tackles (6.7 pg), #8 Tackles for Loss (13.5) - 1st LSC North - LB of the Year

LSC Scoop Preseason Predictions:
Best Case Scenario - 4-7
"...Their crossover/out of conference schedule includes: Pitt State, West Texas, Tarleton, A&M-Kingsville, and Midwestern State. Ouch..."

Worst Case Scenario - 2-9 or 3-8
"...The schedule just doesn't have many let ups in it, and the Bronchos may be drowning by the mid-season point with the top-heavy schedule."

Actual 2008 Record - 7-4