EDMOND, Okla. — Jared Vincent booted a game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired to lift Pittsburg State University to a 37-35 comeback victory over the University of Central Oklahoma Thursday (Sept. 5) at Wantland Stadium.

The Gorillas (1-0) rushed out to a 34-7 lead by scoring 27 unanswered points in a dominant first-half performance in the season opener against the Bronchos (0-1).

The second half featured a reversal of fortunes as the Pitt State offense was maligned by four fumbles to help enable UCO to run off 28 consecutive points. The Bronchos turned the last of the four miscues into a 25-yard scoop and score by D Hall that gave UCO its first lead of the game, 35-34, with 3:20 to play in the game.

Backup quarterback Mak Sexton completed five of seven passes for 60 yards on the Gorillas' game winning drive. He converted on a pair of third down plays – with tosses of 14 yards to Lorenzo West and 11 yards to Bryce Murphy – to help move Pitt State into field goal range. His final completion – a 19-yarder to West – moved the ball to the UCO 14.

Wilbur Cooper Jr. then carried the ball three times for 12 yards as the Gorillas forced the Bronchos to exhaust their timeouts and set up Vincent's chip shot field goal from the UCO 2 yard line.

Sexton completed 10 of 15 passes for 113 yards in the game. He also rushed the ball one time for 21 yards. West caught four passes for 72 yards in the contest. He also returned the game's opening kickoff 100 yards to stake Pitt State to a 7-0 lead 15 seconds into the contest.

The Gorillas piled up 270 rushing yards on 59 carries in the game. Tyler Adkins led the ground gainers with 17 carries for 78 yards, including a 26-yard second quarter touchdown. Brandon Mlekus, making his first collegiate start at quarterback, rushed the ball 13 times for 68 yards. Cooper and Drew Winn added 23 yards apiece. Cooper and Tucker Horak each had first-half touchdowns for the Gorillas.

Vincent booted three field goals in the game in all. He connected on a 47 yarder that gave Pitt State a 10-7 first quarter advantage and added an 18-yard connection with two seconds remaining in the first half.

Morgan Selemaea and Creighton Sanders led the Pitt State defense with six tackles apiece. Elijah Jeffcoat and Cole Morris each registered a quarterback sack and Will Bazzle IV had a first-half interception that helped lead to a Pitt State score.