EDMOND (Aug. 15) -- Central Oklahoma capped off its first day of full-pad workouts with a spirited 50-minute intrasquad scrimmage Monday morning and head coach Tracy Holland was pleased with the results.
"We're way ahead of where we were at this time last year, that's for sure" Holland said. "I'd say the main focus of the scrimmage was to look at guys we didn't have a lot of information on yet to kind of determine where we're at. Overall, I was really pleased with what was going on out there on the football field."
The Bronchos ran the No. 1 offense against the top defensive unit for several series during the skirmish on the turf at Wantland Stadium. All-American running back Joshua Birmingham broke off a pair of nice inside runs, while linebacker Tucker Cason intercepted a pass and would have probably scored on the return if not for a whistle stopping play to highlight play during the one vs. one action.
UCO will return to the field Tuesday morning in shorts and shoulder pads before having another full-pad practice Wednesday morning as the Bronchos continue preparing for the fast-approaching season.
"I've been very pleased with the attitude and response of the players," Holland said. "The energy on this team, the enthusiasm, has been great."
UCO opens the season with a Thursday night game, traveling to Florence, Ala. on Sept. 1 to take on North Alabama. The Lions were ranked No. 6 in the pre-season NCAA Division II poll that came out Monday.
