EDMOND, Okla. -- The SBU Bearcats picked up win number two with a thrilling 31-23 victory over Central Oklahoma, spoiling the Bronchos' homecoming.

"This was a great one! Our kids played their tails off," said head coach Keith Allen. "I'm happy for our kids and for our program. I'm fired up about our running game (250 yards on 54 carries) and the defense played well."

The Bronchos (1-5) broke on top in the first quarter on a 60-yard pass from Brandon Noohi to Ryan Gallimore with 6:20 left. The Bearcats (2-4) tied the game on a 44-yard run by Thad Everson. Early in the second quarter, SBU grabbed the lead on a 25-yard strike from Gachette to Johnnie King. UCO tied the game a minute later on an 18-yard pass from Noohi to Kendall Hendricks.

But right back came the Bearcats, using a 15-yard rush from Justin Duhaney to go on top 21-14 at the 9:04 mark. SBU would add to their margin five minutes later on a 15-yard pass from Gachette to Charles Johnson, and went to the break up 28-14.

UCO cut into the margin with a third quarter 27-yard field goal by Chris Robbs. Early in the fourth, the Bronchos cut further into the SBU lead on a 21-yard run by Noohi. The Bearcats would get the ball with 7:06 left in the fourth quarter and would milk the clock with a 14-play, 77-yard drive, capped by 19-yard field goal by Brock Jolly. The Bearcats' Clayton Davis would end the UCO comeback attempt with an endzone interception on a fourth and ten play from the SBU 26-yard line with 51 seconds left.

Allen added, "I think we focused too much on our opponent the first few weeks. We've been in every game we've played except one. Our mistakes hurt us in those first few games and we've cut them back in these last two. We're now better focused each game on becoming a better football team."

Everson led the Bearcats with 117 yards on 19 carries. Gachette added 78 yards on the ground while Duhaney picked up 71. Gachette was 27 of 45 for 291 yards passing, two touchdowns and three interceptions. John Austin had 11 catches for 118 yards. Tyrin Holt led the defense with nine total tackles.

The Bearcats return home next week for SBU's homecoming, with a 2 p.m. kickoff against Southern Nazarene.