The Lions opened up the 2011 season with a 31-10 victory over Central Oklahoma at Braly Stadium Thursday night.

Despite having five turnovers on the night and a slow start in the first half, the Lions still managed to score 31 points for the game. The Lions gained 418 yards of total offense and got a great performance from Antwan Ivey, who rushed for 142 yards with three touchdowns.

“We put in this whole new offense and we had no idea what they were going to throw at us,” said head coach Terry Bowden. We had no idea how [our offense] was going to work, and we started popping some plays, and Ivey gave us that spark.”

Quarterback Lee Chapple had an up-and-down night, completing 22 of 39 passes, 186 yards passing, but had three interceptions with no touchdowns.

“I think he was pressing too hard with some of the new stuff to the offense, but he came right back relaxed and got us going in the game,” Bowden said. “The main thing was he tried to put too much on his shoulders.”

A big question coming into the season has been who is going to step up to the receiver position. Tristan Purifory led the team with five catches and 63 yards receiving, followed by Mo Milliam, who had five catches and 44 yards receiving.

“We got a lot of new receivers out there playing, and I was very proud of how they played tonight,” Bowden said. “We have one receiver that has started a college game, and I thought there was a lot of poise from those guys.”

Central Oklahoma got on the board first with 2:42 left in the first with a 34-yard field goal, which was set up by an interception that gave them the ball on UNA’s own 18-yard line.

After two turnovers and two three-and-outs the Lions finally got on the board with a 22-yard touchdown run by Chris Coffey on a drive of seven plays and 67 yards with 1:39 left in the first quarter.

The Lions added to the lead with 12:58 left in the second quarter on a two-yard run by Ivey giving the Lions a 14-3 lead, which held till halftime.

A 22- yard field goal by Nathen O’Jibway in the third followed by a 69-yard run from Ivey gave the Lions 24-3. The Bronchos got their first touchdown of the game at the 2:04 mark in the third that was set up by a muffed bouncing punt from Janoris Jenkins, making it 24-10 going into the fourth.

Ivey got his third score of the night with 4:24 left in the game, ending any chance of a comeback from the Bronchos. The Lions finished the game with a final score of 31-10.

Despite the early miscues by the Lions and good field position throughout the first half, the Bronchos were unable to capitalize and managed to only score three points. In the second half the defense only allowed 162 yards.

“Their offense scored about 37 points a game and got everybody back from last year,” Bowden said. “For the defense to hold them the way they did was outstanding.”

The Lions will be at home again Sept. 10 against Glenville State, with kick-off scheduled at 6 p.m.