Box Score (HAYS, Kan.) – The Central Missouri Mules football team turned in a dominating defensive effort en route to a 35-7 win over Fort Hays State on Saturday night at Lewis Field Stadium. The Mules held the Tigers without a first down in the first half and to 236 yards of total offense for the game.
            Central Missouri (5-2, 4-2 MIAA) took the opening kickoff and drove down to the Fort Hays State (2-5, 2-4 MIAA) 26 yard line where they faced a third down. Tommy Corwin scrambled and appeared to have a first down, but fumbled the football and the Tigers took over. The UCM defense drove the Tigers backward and forced a three and out. The offense took over and drove right back down the field. Corwin hooked up with Kyson Ginavan for a 28 yard gain down to the FHSU two yard line. Two plays later LaVance Taylor punched it in from a yard out and the Mules led 7-0.
            The Mules defense forced another three and out on the next possession and UCM's quick strike offense took advantage. A 50-yard punt return by Marlon Douglas set the Mules up at the FHSU 35 yard line. On a third and three Corwin found David Cannon wide open in the middle of the field and he walked into the end zone for a 14-0 UCM lead.
            The Mules forced another three and out on the next possession and took over at their own 20 after a punt. Taylor rushed for 15 yards on the first play followed by a Corwin to Sean Gorman 27 yard pitch and catch to set the Mules up at the FHSU 38. A 28-yard reception by Jamar Howard gave UCM a first and goal at the Tiger eight yard line. After a false start penalty pushed the Mules outside the 10 Corwin hit Cannon for his second touchdown of the game and UCM led 21-0.
            The Mules drove into FHSU territory again early in the second quarter but a 52 yard field attempt missed just wide right and lead remained 21-0. After another three and out by the UCM defense the Mules drove back into Tiger territory, but turned the ball over on downs. The Mules turned it over on their next two possessions, but the defense continued its strong play and UCM led 21-0 at the half.
             The Mules outgained the Tigers 407-18 in the first half and held FHSU without a first down. Fort Hays State had eight consecutive three and outs in the first half, before kneeling on the ball to end the first half on their ninth possession.
            The Tigers received to start the third quarter and quickly gained their first first down of the game, but the Mule D stiffened and forced another punt. The Mules punted the ball right back to the Tigers only to see FHSU drive into UCM territory, but the defense held the Tigers on fourth down and the offense took over on their own 30 yard line.
            The Mules converted a fourth and inches from their own 39 yard line to extend the drive and back-to-back gains of 22 and 18 yards from Cannon and Gorman, respectively gave the Mules a first and goal. Camren Torneden took and swing pass on first and goal and waltzed into the end zone for a 28-0 UCM lead.
            The Tigers broke their scoring drought with a seven-play 79-yard drive capped off by a 24-yard Anthony Sheppard to Edward Smith touchdown pass to pull within 28-7 early in the fourth quarter.
            The Mules matched the Tiger score with another touchdown of their own on the next drive. UCM recovered an FHSU onside kick attempt and had the ball at the Tiger 45 yard line. Ralph Watson rushed for 13 yards to the 30 and Taylor ran for seven more to the 23. On third and three Corwin hit Howard for a 23-yard touchdown down the left sideline. Howard jumped up and wrestled the ball away from the Tiger defender to get the score and UCM led 35-7.
            With the game in hand the Mules defense continued its dominant play allowing the Tiger's offense to reach midfield just once and the Mules came away with the 35-7 win.
            The Mules finished with 613 yards of offense, 407 through the air and 206 on the ground. Corwin finished 29-of-45 for 398 yards and four touchdowns. Corwin also rushed for 33 yards giving him 431 yards of total offense, the fourth highest single-game total in school history. His 398 passing yards were the eighth highest single-game total in UCM history as well.
            Cannon finished with six catches for 116 yards and two scores and Howard added five catches for 90 yards and touchdown. 10 different receivers caught passes for Central Missouri. Torneden led the team in rushing with 58 yards on 12 carries.
            Defensively, the Mules held the Tigers to 236 yards of total offense. FHSU had 157 yards rushing and 79 passing. UCM held FHSU to 3.9 yards per play on 60 plays. In addition, the Tigers were just 1-of-13 on third downs and 0-of-2 on fourth down. Evan Knight led the Mules with nine tackles, including a half sack. Calvin Patterson had five tackles, while Sosaia Taufa had two sacks.
            The seven points allowed by the Mules is the lowest point total allowed under Jim Svoboda and is their lowest point total allowed in an MIAA road game since they allowed seven points in a 38-7 win at Emporia State back in 2007.
            The Mules return home for the final time in the 2011 season next Saturday against Pittsburg State at 1:30 p.m. The UCM seniors will be honored before the game.