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MARYVILLE, Mo. – For the second straight week the Mules football team came up just short against a top-10 ranked team. The Mules fell to third-ranked Northwest Missouri 28-24 on Saturday night at Bearcat Stadium.

The Mules (0-2, 0-2 MIAA) started fast jumping out to a 17-0 first quarter lead. After a three and out on their first possession, UCM created a turnover when Zach Quines picked off a Trevor Adams pass near midfield and returned it to the Northwest 35 yard line. UCM turned the turnover into three points on a 24 yard Zach Gebhardt field goal to go in front 3-0.

The UCM defense forced another three and out and after a 29 yard punt, the Mules took over at their own 43 yard line. Eight plays later Hayden Hawk hit Anthony Kirkwood for a 33-yard touchdown and the Mules led 10-0.

The Mule defense forced another three and out and a short punt gave the ball back to UCM near midfield. After an incomplete pass on first down Hawk hit Ronrei Lloyd with a 55-yard scoring strike and the Mules led 17-0.

The Bearcats (2-0, 1-0 MIAA) then came to life taking the ensuing possession 75 yards in seven plays capped off by a Brady Bolles five yard touchdown run to cut the UCM lead to 17-7 at the end of one quarter.

The defenses started to take control in the second quarter with neither team able to muster much offense. The teams traded punts on several consecutive possessions with neither team being able to flip field position.

After a three and out near midfield the Mules were able to pin NWMSU deep when Will Mondragon's punt was fair caught at the Bearcat eight yard line. The Bearcats then put together a 12-play, 92-yard drive that ate 5:24 off the clock. The drive was capped by a Bolles to Korey Jackson 20-yard touchdown with just over a minute to play in the half. The score remained the same and UCM led 17-14 at halftime.

The third quarter started with neither team able to do much offensively. After two Northwest Missouri punts the Mules took over at their own 12. UCM moved the ball near midfield, but the drive stalled and they were forced to punt. Mondragon's punt was blocked by Jacob Vollstedt and picked up by Dylan Chadwick, who ran it back 25 yards for a Bearcat touchdown to give NWMSU its first lead of the game at 21-17.

The Mules answered right back. Facing a 2nd and 8 from their own 26 Hawk hit Kirkwood for a 53 yard pitch and catch to the NWMSU 21 yard line and then on the first play of the fourth quarter Hawk found Lloyd for his secon touchdown of the game, this time from 14 yards out. The touchdown put the Mules back in front 24-21 with just over 14 minutes to play in the game.

On the ensuing possession the Bearcats drove all the way to the UCM 27, but on 4th and 1 Ricky Spratley stopped Robert Burton for no gain and the Mules took over. Three consecutive three and outs, one by Northwest and two by UCM gave the ball back to the Bearcats at their own 33 with 7:09 to play in the game.

Northwest put together an 11-play, 67-yard drive that ate 4:18 off the clock. The Bearcats converted a 3rd and 2 from the UCM 23 and two plays later Bolles ran it in from nine yards out to put NWMSU back in front for good at 28-24.

On the ensuing possession Hawk's pass on 2nd and 1 was tipped and intercepted by Brandon Yost. The Bearcats got one first down and were able to run out the clock and secure the win.

The Mules had 360 yards of total offense, including 304 through the air, but UCM had just 56 yard rushing on 26 attempts. Hawk finished the game 22 of 42 for 304 yards and three scores, while Lloyd hauled in a game-high eight catches for 131 yards and two scores. LaVance Taylor had five receptions for 41 yards and Kirkwood finished with four catches for 86 yards and a score.

Defensively, UCM was led by Connor Smith's nine tackles. Ryan Berry, Zach Quines, Alex Perlin and Adrian Perricone all finished with eight tackles apiece. Quines added 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception.

Northwest Missouri had 378 yards of total offense with 182 coming on the ground and 196 through the air. Bolles ran for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. He also was 17 of 23 for 191 yards and touchdown passing.

DJ Gnader had nine tackles to lead the Bearcat defense.

The Mules are now 0-2 for the first time since 1991 and have lost two straight games for just the second time under head coach Jim Svoboda. UCM is also 5-8 under Svoboda against ranked teams.

Central Missouri will look to get in the win column when they return home next Saturday, Sept. 21, to host Lindenwood at 1:30 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com. Shawn Jones and UCM Athletic Hall of Famer Bill Turnage will have the call along with Greg Hassler. The Mules Tailgate Show will begin at 12:10 p.m. There will also be a UCM Media Network, student-run, webcast available via pay-per-view on AmericaOneSports.com