Box Score (TOPEKA, Kan.) – The Central Missouri Mules closed out the regular season with a convincing 39-21 win over No. 6 Washburn at Yager Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Mules jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back as they held the Ichabods 20 points below their season average.
      The Mules (8-3, 6-3 MIAA) took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 13 plays into a very strong wind to take a 7-0 lead. Senior quarterback Tommy Corwin rushed it in from one yard out on fourth and goal to put the Mules in front to stay. On the drive, UCM converted a pair of fourth downs, including the touchdown run.
      The Ichabods (9-2, 7-2 MIAA) were unable to move the ball on their first drive, but went for it on 4^th and 9 from their own 40-yard line. Dane Simoneau's pass to Matt Kobbeman fell incomplete and the Mules took over in great field position.
      Central Missouri took just four plays to find pay dirt again as Corwin found LaVance Taylor for a 12-yard touchdown pass to put UCM in front 14-0.
      The Mules took over near midfield again thanks to a David Bax interception and looked poised to take a 21-0 lead, but UCM fumbled at the goal line as they were going in for a score and Washburn recovered to halt the drive.
      After forcing a Washburn punt, the Mules once again drove deep into Ichabod territory. A tipped pass turned into an interception at the 15 and the Mules were turned away again. Washburn turned this turnover in to points as they drove 81 yards in 13 plays capped by a Simoneau to DeJuan Beard 26 yard touchdown on fourth and 21 to pull within 14-7 with 5:14 to play in the first half.
      Central Missouri responded with a touchdown just before the half to take a 20-7 lead. A pooch kick gave UCM great starting field position. Anthony Kirkwood caught a 14-yard pass on fourth and four to give the Mules a first down at the WU 18 and then Corwin hit Jamar Howard for a touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Mules led 20-7 at the break.
      Washburn's opening drive of the second half stalled near midfield and the Ichabod punt was downed at the UCM one-yard line. Taylor raced 22 yards on the first play of the drive to give UCM some breathing room. Corwin hit Taylor Dyer with a 17 yard pass to the UCM 40 and Taylor with a 21 yarder down to the Washburn 30. An 18-yard pass to Dyer gave UCM a first down at the 12 and on the next play Corwin hit David Cannon for a touchdown to put the Mules in front 27-7.
      The Ichabods answered right back with an 8 play, 80 yard drive capped by a 42-yard pitch and catch from Simoneau to Beard to draw within 27-14.
      UCM answered the call again with an 11-play, 64-yard drive capped by a Camren Torneden one-yard run to give the Mules a 33-14 lead with 34 seconds left in the third quarter. On the drive, Corwin hit Howard with a 14 yard gain on third and eight and Dyer hauled in a 28-yard pass down to the WU three yard line.
      The Mules put the nail in the coffin on the next drive when Alexis Reedus picked off a Simoneau pass and raced 49 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point bounced off the upright and no good and UCM led 39-14 with just under a quarter to play.
      The Ichabods cut the lead to 39-21 with 12:53 to play in the game when Simoneau found Tore Hurst for a seven yard strike.
      The 'Bod defense force a quick punt on the ensuing possession, but the Mules' defense clamped down on the potent Washburn offense as they did all day and forced a turnover on downs.
      The Mules force a three and out on the next possession and were able to run out the clock for the win.
      Corwin finished the day 28-of-38 for 314 yards and three touchdowns and the Mules piled up 481 yards of total offense, including 167 on the ground.
      Dyer caught six passes for 122 yards, while Cannon also had six grabs for 51 yards and a score. Taylor rushed for 93 yards on 14 carries.
      The Mules held Washburn to 385 yards of total offense, including a season-low 48 yards on the ground and nearly 20 points below their season average of 40.7 points per game. Simoneau was 29-of-50 for 337 yards and three scores, but also had two interceptions. Ronnell Garner had seven catches for 102 yards, while Beard had six grabs for 103 yards and two scores. Justin Cooper was held to just 46 yards rushing on 11 carries.
      Defensively, Patrick Lewis and Devin King led the Mules with eight tackles apiece. Colin Hanna had six tackles and a pair of pass break-ups. Smith and Sosaia Taufa each had a pair of tackles for loss, including a sack for Taufa and Brandon Tett had a sack for a 10 yard loss.
      The Mules will find out which postseason bowl game they will be going to on Monday after the NCAA-II Playoff selections are made on Sunday night.