Pittsburg State Prevails in Season Opener, 31-20

EDMOND, Okla. (PSU Media Relations) -- Quarterback Zac Dickey tossed a third-quarter touchdown and broke loose for a 47-yard go-ahead touchdown run with 8:52 to play in th egame to lead Pittsburg State University to a 31-20 victory over the University of Central Oklahoma in the season opener at Wantland Stadium.

The Gorillas gave first-year head coach Tim Beck a victory in his debut contest.

Dickey, making his first start for the Gorillas, completed 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards, including a 28-yard TD pass to Jon Thomas that gave Pitt State a 17-14 lead over UCO midway through the third quarter.

His scoring run came three plays after the Bronchos Chris Robb staked UCO to a 20-17 lead with a 36-yard field goal.

The Pitt State defense, which generated five interceptions in the contest, forced a UCO punt with 6:25 to play and then held the Bronchos on downs at the UCO 10 with 2:47 to play.

Terrance Isaac, who rushed for a team-leading 91 yards, provided the final margin of victory with a 3-yard run with 1:33 remaining.

UCO quickly drove the ball to the PSU 17, but Kendall Davis intercepted a pass at the PSU 14 to seal the victory.

Nate Dreiling, Spencer Worthington and Johnny Row all logged nine tackles for the Gorillas, while Bryant Sanchez recorded two of Pitt State's five interceptions.

The two teams combined for eight turnovers in the first half with UCO's Ethan Sharp tossing four interceptions and the Gorillas fumbling away the football three times.

Pitt State missed a pair of scoring opportunities in the second quarter when reserve running back Cardell Clemons fumbled at the UCO 2 to halt a drive and backup quarterback Jeff Smith tossed an interception in the end zone with 1:44 to play in the half.

Thomas, who caught three passes for 60 yards, gave Pitt State its only first-half points with an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown - the Gorillas first punt return score since the 2000 season. Thomas' return was two yards shy of the longest return in school history, an 86 yarder by Rod Commons against Fort Hays State in 1969.