MIAA Preview: Central Oklahoma

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
Central Oklahoma running back Dev Mathews carries the ball on Sept. 27, 2025, against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Central Oklahoma returns one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the MIAA after a 6-5 season that saw the Bronchos field one of the league’s most explosive offenses, averaging 31 points and 455 yards on offense per game last year.

“Offensively, we get Jett back I’m excited to have him back and healthy,” Central Oklahoma coach Adam Dorrel said. “If you look at the offensive side of the ball, it’s very clear that offensive line and receiving corps are question marks right now. We’re going to have guys that are going to have to step up at those positions.”

Jett Huff completed 164 of 259 passes for 2,220 yards and 18 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, posting a 152.08 passer rating and averaging 246.7 passing yards per game.

“I think my game took a bit of a hit from two years ago to last year,” Huff said. “Not necessarily skill set, but just taking chances, being more aggressive, and utilizing my play style. I think I got a little — not necessarily timid but maybe a little more cautious last year and that cost you a bit more than being aggressive does.”

The Bronchos also bring back their leading touchdown-generator at running back. Dev Mathews rushed for 579 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns on 90 carries. Redshirt freshman Marquie Harris is the only other back to have a carry for the Bronchos last year with eight carries for 33 yards.

The Bronchos’ top three pass-catchers from 2025: Ashton Schumann (79 catches, 1,060 yards, five touchdowns), Kristian Valeriano (385 yards) and Dominique Dunn (eight touchdown catches) are not on the 2026 roster. Senior Javohn Thomas (18 catches, 244 yards) returns as the most experienced returning target, along with Gage Keaton (seven catches, one touchdown), Braden Turner (four catches, one touchdown) and Zayden Martinez.

Defensively, Central Oklahoma returns its top two tacklers in the back seven. Linebacker Reese Roller posted 42 tackles with nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries. Defensive back David Williams added 44 tackles and an interception. Bryant Coley (37 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups) and Chris Fitzpatrick (27 tackles, four tackles for loss) also return experience to the second level.

Dorrel said the secondary has to be better in 2026.

“If you go back and look defensively, break down the statistics and you start diving into them, the one thing that consistently showed up last year was we gave up way too many deep balls on busted coverages,” Dorrel said. “I mean way too many of them and so that’s something that we felt like we saw growth in in spring football.”

Up front, senior Cameron Done was Central Oklahoma’s most disruptive returning lineman in 2025, racking up 27 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks which tied for the team lead in sacks.

“I think we’ve done a great job this offseason,” Zach Stilwell said. “Coach (Cody) Swanson and the front seven, we’re coming along. I think we’ve got a really good shot to do the same thing this year.”

Done is joined by fellow returning linemen Servhant Counsellor, Bradyn Smith, Ethan Stites, Naithen Spaulding and senior Zacary Stilwell. Daniel Ekwese (23 tackles, one interception) and Hank Puckett.

“Steely, man, he’s just the heartbeat of the defense—Mr. Consistency,” Dorrel said. “You think about Zach and you think about the consistency that he does everything with on a consistent basis. We’re very fortunate to be surrounded by these guys and we’ve got some really good young men in our program.”

Central Oklahoma outscored opponents by more than five points a game a season ago and posted a plus-14 turnover-margin. Offensively, the Bronchos ended the season on fire, scoring 98 points in their final two games.

Central Oklahoma will be tested early this season, starting with a trip to Texas Wesleyan on Aug. 27. The Bronchos will then face an FCS opponent on Sept. 12 with a trip to Central Arkansas.

The Bronchos will travel to Washburn on Sept. 19 before their first home game of the season against Northwest on Sept. 26.

“Our administration did everything in their power — we had a lot of challenges scheduling this year,” Dorrel said. “We’re excited though because we did finally get to 11 games, but we only have four home games this year. We’re going to embrace that challenge, but it’s the following year and the following year and the following year that we feel like we’re in a good place with the schedule — so a very challenging opportunity came. I talked to our guys and we can play a Division I school or not play, and it was a no-brainer.”