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HAYS, Kan. -- The Central Missouri Mules closed out the season with a thrilling 14-12 win over Fort Hays State on Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field Stadium. The Mules end the season at 6-4 overall and 6-4 in MIAA play and secured their sixth straight winning season.

The Mules took the opening drive of the game and drove 72 yards in 13 plays, but the drive stalled inside the five and the Mules were forced into a field goal attempt. Aaron Jamieson's 21 yard attempt hit the upright and was no good.

The Mules got the ball back at their own 27 after forcing an FHSU (4-6, 3-6 MIAA) punt. Colter Smith hit Cullen Rosine for a gain of 21 yards near midfield, but on third and seven Smith was intercepted by Layton Hickel, who returned it to the UCM 36. The Mule defense held and forced the Tigers into a field goal attempt. Drew O'Brien's 44 yard attempt missed wide left and the game remained scoreless.

On the ensuing possession the Mules put together a beautiful drive. UCM marched 73 yards in nine plays including a couple of nice runs by Corey Washington and pass completions to LaVance Taylor. On first and goal from the Tiger eight, Smith hit Ronrei Lloyd in the back left corner of the end zone for a touchdown and the Mules led 7-0 with 2:18 left in the opening quarter.

The Tigers responded on their ensuing possession driving 54 yards in 11 plays to get on the board. O'Brien drilled a 38 yard field goal to pull FHSU within 7-3. The Tigers converted a pair of third downs and a fourth down on the drive.

The Mules had great starting field position on their next two drives, but couldn't get anything going. On the second drive, Matt Jordan's punt was downed at the Tiger one yard line. The Tigers drove out of the shadow of their own goal line moving into UCM territory at the 40. On third and 10, Tarean Austin was sacked by Adrian Perricone. Austin appeared to fumble the ball when he was hit. The ball was picked up by Alex Perlin who was racing untouched to the end zone when the play was blown dead and Austin was ruled down by contact. The Tigers ensuing punt traveled only nine yards and UCM took over at their own 33.

The Mules responded on the next possession driving 67 yards in eight plays right before the half. With 22 seconds left in the stanza, Smith hit Kevin Johnson for a 20-yard touchdown to put UCM in front 14-3 at halftime. It was the first career touchdown for the senior from Lee's Summit.

The Tigers closed the deficit to eight taking the opening kick of the second half down for a field goal. FHSU drove 51 yards in eight plays after a 46 yard kickoff return by Keke Paul to open the half. O'Brien drilled his second field goal of the game, this one from 20 yards to pull the Tigers within 14-6.

The Mules couldn't muster much offensively in the second half as they were shutout in the frame and had just 90 yards of offense, but the punting of Matt Jordan to flip field position and the play of the defense proved to be the difference.

After UCM's first punt of the half was downed at the Tiger five, FHSU drove deep into Mules territory, but Connor Smith picked off Tarean Austin at the UCM 15 to halt the drive.

The ensuing possession stalled near midfield and Jordan again pinned the Tigers inside their own 20. Fort Hays State drove to the Mule 37, but Joe Carter broke up a third down pass and the quick kick by Austin traveled just seven yards. An illegal kicking penalty against FHSU on the play gave them a minus 3 net on the punt.

The Mules went three and out on their next possession, but Jordan boomed a 48 yard punt to the Hays 10 yard line. The UCM defense stiffened and forced the Tigers into a punting situation on fourth and four from their own 27. The Tigers attempted a fake when punter Cameron Owens took off running with the snap, but Alexis Reedus stopped him a half yard shy of the first down and UCM took over at the FHSU 30.

Facing a fourth and one from the FHSU 21 the Mules went for it. LaVance Taylor gained two yards for the first down, but UCM was flagged for illegal motion negating the play and setting up a fourth and six at the 26. The ensuing field goal attempt from 43 yards was wide left and the lead remained 14-6 with 8:42 left in the game.

The Tigers took advantage of the opportunity and drove 74 yards in 11 plays to hit paydirt. FHSU converted a pair of third downs and a fourth down on the drive, including a third and goal when Anthony Sheppard, subbing for the injured Austin, ran it in from six yards out to pull the Tigers within 14-12. The two-point conversion attempt was no good and the Mules clung to the two-point lead.

The Mules recovered the onside kick with 3:44 to play and had the ball at the FHSU 48. UCM gained one first down on the drive to milk the clock. The Mules punted on fourth down with 13 seconds left and Paul tried to make a play draining the clock all the way down to :01. Fort Hays State was flagged for running into the kicker so UCM was able to take a knee on the final play and secure the win.

Colter Smith finished the day 27-of-38 for 247 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Taylor had 62 yards rushing on 20 carries and nine receptions for 52 yards. David Cannon had six catches to give him 132 for his career, the fourth most all-time at UCM.

Defensively, UCM was led by Patrick Lewis and Paul Hughes with nine stops each. Lewis' nine tackles give him 262 for his career. He finishes his UCM career tied for eighth all-time in tackles. Reedus and Alex Perlin had six stops each as the UCM defense registered four tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and nine pass break-ups.

Jordan punted five times with an average of 41.4 and four punts downed inside the 20 yard line.

The Tigers were led by Austin's 168 passing yards and 42 rushing yards. Sheppard added a game-high 80 yards on 12 carries and was 4-of-6 for 54 yards in relief.

Michael Jordan had a game-high 13 tackles to lead the FHSU defense. The Tigers had seven tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.