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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- The Central Missouri Mules built a 23-7 halftime lead, but couldn't hold it and fell 24-23 to previously winless Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon at Doc Wadley Stadium. The Mules return home for the final time in 2012 next Saturday against Nebraska-Kearney at 1:30 p.m.

Neither did team much with their first possession. After an NSU (1-6, 1-6 MIAA) punt the Mules threw an interception when Colter Smith's long heave on third down was picked off at the RiverHawk 18. Northeastern State was intercepted on their next possession as well. On second and five from the UCM 36 Johnny Deaton was intercepted by Patrick Lewis at the Mules two. After a three and out and short punt the RiverHawks struck first. Johnny Deaton scrambled 34-yards for a touchdown on second and eight at the UCM 37 to put NSU ahead 7-0.

The Mules (5-3, 5-3 MIAA) answered back with a scoring drive of their own. Smith hit Sean Gorman on first and goal from the six for a score to put the Mules on the board. The point after was no good and the RiverHawks led 7-6. The missed PAT would prove to be costly.

The RiverHawks turned the ball over on their next possession when Deaton lost control in the pocket and fumbled. Zach Quines recovered for Central Missouri at the NSU 35. Four plays after the turnover Smith hit Ronrei Lloyd for a 19-yard score and the Mules led 13-7.

Central Missouri was punting to start the second quarter when the turnover bug hit NSU again. Matt Jordan's punt was muffed by Chucky Bryant at the RiverHawk 11 and Connor Smith recovered to set UCM up with great field position. 

The ensuing drive went backwards and the Mules settled for a 31-yard Aaron Jamieson field goal and extended the lead to 16-7.

After a couple of punts by both teams the RiverHawks had possession at their own one yard line with eight minutes left in the half. After getting a first down out to the 25, the RiverHawks fumbled and UCM recovered at the NSU 38. On the first play after the turnover Smith hit David Cannon fro 37 yards down to the one. On the next play, Gorman plunged in from a yard out for his second touchdown of the day and a 23-7 lead that carried into halftime.

Neither team was able to get much going offensively in the early going of the third quarter. Facing a third down and 16 from the UCM 14 yard line Smith was hit as he threw the ball and was intercepted at the NSU 45. The Mule defense stiffened and forced a three and out, but the NSU punt was downed at the UCM two. Two plays later a botched snap sailed into the endzone and Northeastern State's Cayle Shambaugh recovered for the RiverHawk touchdown to cut the lead to 23-14.

The Mules drove deep into NSU territory on the next possession with the help of some key penalties. A roughing the passer penalty and a pass interference, both on third down, gave the Mules new life. The drive stalled inside the RiverHawks 20 yard line though and Jamieson's 36-yard field goal attempt was wide right.

After the miss the RiverHawks went back to work on offense. Joel Rockmore had a 27 yard run to move the ball into Mule territory and Deaton hit Jahmai Coleman for 15 more inside the Mule 20. UCM held on a third and three from the four and forced a 20-yard field goal. The kick was good to cut the UCM lead to 23-17 with 13:38 to play in the game.

As was the case throughout the second half the Mules were unable to get anything going offensively on their next few possessions, but the defense was staying solid and keeping UCM in front. 

After a Mule punt the RiverHawks took over at their own 15. On third and 11 from their own 39 Deaton hit Sherman to the UCM 40, but Alexis Reedus punched the ball free and Patrick Lewis recovered to give the Mules the ball with 4:21 to play.

A pass for no gain and two quick imcompletions forced the Mules to punt again after running just 1:30 off the clock. Jordan pinned the RiverHawks inside their own 15 with the ball being downed at the 12 with 2:51 to play.

The UCM defense forced three straight incompletions to set up a fourth and 10 from the NSU 12, but on fourth down Deaton hit a wide open Sherman for 64 yards to the Mule 24. After an offsides against UCM, Rockmore rushed 19 yards nearly untouched for a touchdown to give the RiverHawks a 24-23 lead.

The Mules took over at their own 25 with 1:54 to play in the game. After a pair of incompletions, Smith hit Ronrei Lloyd for a 32 yard gain to the NSU 43. A seven yard pass to Cannon gave the Mules a second and short at the 36. On second down a screen pass to LaVance Taylor went for a seven yard loss and UCM faced a third and 10 with 47 seconds left. The third down pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage and Smith's fourth down pass fell harmlessly to the turf effectively ending the game. The RiverHawks knelt on the ball one time and the game was over.

The Mules were out-scored 17-0 in the second half as they netted just 105 yards of offense in the half. They finished the game with just 250 yards of offense and only 22 yards rushing, compared to 400 for Northeastern State.

Colter Smith finished the day 27-of-46 for 228 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lloyd had 10 catches for 126 yards and a score, while Gorman finished with two touchdowns on the day.

The RiverHawks had 400 yards of total offense, including 226 through the air from Deaton. Sherman had six catches for 102 yards, while Rockmore had 25 carries for 121 yards and the game-winning score.

Defensively, UCM was led by Joe Carter's 10 tackles and two tackles for loss. Reedus, Lewis and Rico Wilson each had six tackles. The Mules had nine tackles for loss on the day, three sacks and forced five turnovers.