D2-CFB Game Preview: #13 Pittsburg State Gorillas (0-1) vs. #19 Central Oklahoma Bronchos (0-1)

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Venue & Game Details

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CDT

Venue: Chad Richison Stadium, Edmond, Oklahoma

Competition: NCAA Division II – MIAA Conference Game (Week 1 conference play)

Broadcast: MIAA Network (video), Gorillas Sports Network / Bronchos Radio Network (audio)

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Mostly clear skies into the evening

Temperature at Kickoff: ~84°F (29°C)

Wind: 5–8 mph from the south-southeast

Impact: Warm but comfortable; minimal wind effect on passing or special teams.

Injury & Availability Report

Pittsburg State Gorillas

Questionable: WR2 (ankle soreness)

Out: None reported

Notable: QB Chad Dodson Jr. healthy after 2 TD passes vs. Ferris State; RB Caleb Lewis expected to see increased carries

Central Oklahoma Bronchos

Questionable: RB1 (hamstring tightness) — led team in rushing in 2024

Out: None reported

Notable: QB Stephon Brown healthy after 207 rushing yards and 376 total yards vs. UTPB in Week 0 loss

Recent Form & Trends

Pittsburg State: Dropped from preseason #9 to #13 after loss to defending national champion Ferris State. Defense allowed 34 points but showed flashes against an elite opponent.

Central Oklahoma: Fell from preseason #5 to #19 after loss to UTPB, despite rushing for over 200 yards. Defense struggled to contain explosive plays.

Series History

All-Time Series: Pittsburg State leads 16–4–1

Last Meeting: 2024 — Pittsburg State won 35–21

Trend: PSU has won 8 straight in the series; UCO’s last win came in 2015

Key Player Matchups

QB Chad Dodson Jr. (PSU) vs. UCO Secondary – Dodson’s ability to push the ball downfield will test a Bronchos pass defense that gave up multiple big plays in Week 0.

QB Stephon Brown (UCO) vs. PSU Front Seven – Brown’s dual-threat skill set could be the X-factor if he can avoid negative plays against a disciplined Gorillas defense.

Special Teams Edge – PSU’s kicking game is consistent from 45+ yards; UCO’s return units could flip momentum with field position wins.

Betting Trends

Pittsburg State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 MIAA games.

Central Oklahoma is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 home games.

The Over has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings between these teams.

Game Odds

Pittsburg State Gorillas                 – 4.5

Central Oklahoma Bronchos       49.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025