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WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Mules snapped a nine-game losing streak to Northwest Missouri with a 31-21 win over the third-ranked Bearcats on Saturday afternoon at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. The Mules jumped on top 31-7 over the third-ranked team in the country and held off a late NWMSU rally to notch their first win in the series since Sept. 20, 2003.

The Mules (1-1, 1-1 MIAA) struck first on their third drive of the game. Faced with a third and four from their own 38 yard line Colter Smith (Ogden, Utah) hit LaVance Taylor (Raytown, Mo./Raytown HS) in the flat and he outraced everyone 62 yards to the endzone for a touchdown and UCM led 7-0.

The Bearcats (1-1, 0-1 MIAA) came right back on their next drive driving 60 yards in 10 plays before James Franklin leaped over the pile on third and goal from the one to tie the game at 7-all with just over three minutes to play in the opening quarter.

After a few stalled drives for each team, the Mules took over on their own six yard line. A quick strike from Smith to David Cannon (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood East HS) gave the Mules some breathing room at their own 19. The Mules methodically drove the ball down the field and Smith hit Anthony Kirkwood (St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North HS) from four yards out to put UCM back in front 14-7.

On the ensuing possesion Joe Carter (Grandview, Mo./Grandview HS) picked off Trevor Adams on the second play from scrimmage returning it all the way to the Bearcat 9 yard line. A personal foul at the end of the play gave UCM a first and goal at the four. The Mules were unable to punch it in and settled for an Aaron Jamieson (Cassville, Mo./Cassville HS) 23-yard field goal and a 17-7 lead.

Northwest Missouri had the ball deep in their own territory with under a minute to play in the half. An 11-yard run by Jordan Simmons gave the Bearcats some breathing room, but on the ensuing play Adams was intercepted by Kadarius Green (Kirkwood, Mo./Vianney HS) at the NWMSU 22. UCM capitalized with Smith hitting Ralph Watson (St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North HS) for a 16-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in the half and the Mules led 24-7 at the intermission.

The Bearcats took the opening possession of the second half deep into UCM territory, but the Mule defense stiffened and forced a field goal attempt and the 39-yard try was wide left. 

On the ensuing possession UCM drove down the field in 10 plays capped by a Smith to Kirkwood 15-yard strike to make it 31-7 Mules.

The Bearcats took their next possession even deeper into UCM territory, but faced with a fourth and goal from the one-yard line Simmons was tackeled for a four-yard loss by Joe Carter.

After a few stalled drives NWMSU regained possession and drove 60 yards in seven plays capped by a 42-yard scoring strike from Adams to Simmons. The two-point conversion made it 31-15 early in the fourth quarter.

After a pair of three and outs the Mules once again were driving for what seemed like the clinching score, but Smith was picked off inside the Bearcat 20 to halt the drive.

Northwest Missouri capitalized on the turnover driving 90 yards in 11 plays. Adams tossed a 34 yard touchdown to Bryce Young, but the two-point conversion was no good and UCM led 31-21 with just under six minutes to play.

The Mules converted a couple of key third downs on the next drive and were able to drain most of the remaining clock. The Mules punted with under 10 seconds to play and secured their first win over the Bearcats since 2003.

Smith finished the game 28-of-44 for 301 yards with four touchdowns and one INT. Taylor rushed 22 times for 87 yards, while Cannon hauled in a team-high seven passes for 74 yards. Ronrei Lloyd (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had five catches for 61 yards.

Defensively, Joe Carter was spectacular for UCM with a career-high 13 tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception. Green had nine stops and an INT. Evan Knight (Maryland Heights, Mo./Pattonville HS) also had nine stops and a tackle for loss.

Matt Jordan (Ozark, Mo./Ozark HS) averaged 44.4 yards per punt and placed five inside the 20 as the Mules seized control of the field position battle.

Adams was 28-of-49 for 335 yards and two scores, but threw two costly interceptions for the Bearcats. Franklin rushed 18 times for 51 yards and the Mules held NWMSU to 80 yards on 35 rushes. Young had 11 catches for 163 yards and a score as well.

The win snaps a nine-game losing streak to the Bearcats and gave the Mules their first win over a top-five ranked opponent since beating No. 2 Abilene Christian in the 2010 NCAA-II Playoffs. It is also UCM's first win over NWMSU at home since 2001.

The Mules are back in action next Saturday night when they travel to St. Charles, Mo. to take on Lindenwood at 6 p.m. UCM beat the Lions 47-28 at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium last year.