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KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – In the 97th and possibly final meeting between Central Missouri and Truman State, the Mules used a big fourth quarter to pull away for the 44-23 win on Saturday night at Stokes Stadium. UCM scored 24 straight points in the final quarter to earn the win in what is the fourth most played game in NCAA Division II.

The Mules (2-2) won the toss and deferred to the second half, but on Truman's (2-2) second play from scrimmage Zach Leinbaugh forced a fumble and Alex Perlin recovered it to give UCM great field position. Six plays later Hayden Hawk hit Ronrei Lloyd from seven yards out to put the Mules in front 7-0.
 
The Bulldogs answered on their next possession driving deep into UCM territory before settling for a 31-yard field goal from Derek Koon to pull within 7-3. The Mules came right back on the ensuing possession driving inside the Truman 15-yard line, but penalties stalled the drive and UCM settled for a Zach Gebhardt 30-yard field goal to take a 10-3 lead.
 
Truman came right back on the next possession to tie the game. A 52-yard kickoff return by the Bulldogs set TSU up with good field position. Five plays later Conrad Schottel hit Dallas Grier from 17-yards out to tie the game.
 
The Mules wasted no time in regaining the lead. Hawk hit Lloyd for a 42-yard gain on the first play of the drive and he capped it off six plays later with a seven yard scamper to put UCM up 17-10. Truman came right back at the Mules driving to the UCM 14-yard line, but the defense stiffened and forced a field goal try. The 32-yard attempt by Koon was wide left and the lead stayed at 17-10.
 
Central Missouri capitalized on the miss, driving 67 yards in 10 plays setting up Gebhardt for his second field goal of the game, this one from 30 yards to put UCM in front 20-10 at halftime.
 
Momentum seemed to shift in the Bulldogs favor early in the third quarter. TSU forced a punt on the Mules' first possession of the half and drove the ball down inside the UCM 10 yard line, but Koon missed his second field goal of the game, this one from 26 yards out and the lead remained 20-10.
 
The Mules went three and out on their next possession and the Bulldogs returned a short punt 23 yards to the UCM 35. Seven plays later Tremaine Millender cashed in on fourth and goal from the two. The PAT hit the upright and the UCM lead was 20-16.
 
The Bulldogs forced another punt on the next UCM possession. Will Mondragon pinned the Bulldogs inside their own 10 yard line, but a personal foul brought the ball back out to the 21. The first play from scrimmage was a bad snap and resulted in an 11 yard loss for Truman. The drive ended in a three and out and on fourth down, the Bulldogs snapped the ball over the punter's head and out the back of the end zone for a safety and a 22-16 Mule lead.
 
The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and the Mules started at midfield. Seven plays later Sean Gorman barreled into the end zone from three yards out, the two-point conversion was good and UCM led 30-16.
 
The Bulldogs drove near midfield on their next possession, but the UCM defense stiffened and held on fourth down and three from the Bulldog 48. On the first play after the turnover on downs, Hawk hit Lloyd for a 42-yard gain down to the TSU six. LaVance Taylor scampered in on the next play and the rout was on giving UCM a 37-16 lead.
 
Evan Campbell got into the action late in the fourth quarter rushing five times for 35 yards, including his first career touchdown, a three-yard run to put the Mules in front 44-16. The Bulldogs would add a late touchdown, but UCM was able to take a knee and run out the clock.
 
Hawk finished 27 of 30, including 11 of 11 in the second half, for 281 yards and a touchdown and also added a rushing touchdown. Lloyd caught nine passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor gained 92 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown.
 
The Mules racked up 477 yards of total offense in the game, 176 on the ground and 301 through the air.
 
Defensively, UCM was led by Ryan Berry's nine tackles. Connor Smith added seven stops and a tackle for loss and four players finished with five tackles apiece.
 
Truman State was led by Schottel's 23 of 41 performance. He threw for 253 yards and two scores. Dallas Grier caught 10 passes for 105 yards and a score. Garrett White rushed 14 times for 76 yards.
 
Austin Zoda led the TSU defense with 10 tackles. Connor Nagel had nine stops and a half a quarterback sack.
 
The Mules are back in action next Saturday night as they resume MIAA play at Missouri Southern. Kickoff on Oct. 5 is set for 6 p.m. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com. A pay-per-view webcast is available at AmericaOneSports.com.