UCO comes back home to Wantland Stadium on Saturday to host the Washburn Ichabods.
Following a tough 31-19 loss in Warrensburg, Mo., to Central Missouri, Bronchos coach Nick Bobeck said his team’s focus will be inward this week.
“We always just worry about us,” Bobeck said.  “We never necessarily worry about what our opponent is going to be doing. It’s more important about what we’re doing. We just have to execute better on both sides of the football and on special teams and we’re going to be just fine. ”
The Bronchos found themselves in a 10-0 hole within the first 10 minutes against the Mules last week and could put only field goals on the board until the fourth quarter.
Central’s Jake Gandara. Photo courtesy UCO Photo Servies.
Bobeck downplayed the loss, only the second of the year for Central (5-2), speaking of his team’s miscues that forced it into an uphill battle against a quality opponent.
“We just had issues,” Bobeck said.  “Negative football plays. Whether it be an inopportune penalty, a dropped ball, an interception, a fumbled snap, a messed up blocking assignment – whatever it may be. – you know, it’s hard to win like that when you play good football teams. Hopefully it will be a learning experience for our kids.”
So the focal point as season continues is on the progress within the program.
“It’s about improvement,” Bobeck said.
“You can’t necessarily look at your opponent, you have to look at yourself in the mirror. It’s every day that you’re in competition with yourself and our kids have to understand that.
“This game is a microcosm for life. If you don’t show up and you don’t perform, you’re not going to play well, you’re not going to be productive. Our kids have to understand that you have to take pride in what you do and what you put your name on on a day-to-day basis. That’s going to be the concentration throughout the rest of the year.”
Bobeck said he knows there is still much football to be played and maybe beyond the regular season.
“Our goal is to go 4-0 the rest of the season. And hopefully some positive things happen and we can find a way into the playoffs or a bowl game. And if we can do that, then we have to be happy with what we’re doing.
“It’s not a lost cause, we’re 5-2 and we’ve played pretty good football this season for the most part. We’ve got to do a better job of concentrating on us.”
The preparation to meet the Ichabods continues through the week, but Bobeck continued to put the emphasis on what the Bronchos will bring to the table.
“We’ve got to execute on both sides of the football.
“They’ve struggled a little bit with turnovers and have given up some explosive plays and so forth. It’s just going to be a matter of our kids going out and executing.”
Three of Central’s final four games are at home, starting with Saturday’s contest with Washburn. Â Game time is set for 1 p.m and the game is billed as Take a Kid to the Game Day.