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WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Mules dropped their season-opener in heartbreaking fashion, 26-23, to sixth-ranked Missouri Western on Thursday night at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. The Griffons scored the game-winning touchdown with just 14 seconds left.

The Mules (0-1, 0-1 MIAA) had rallied to take the lead 23-20 on a 15-yard strike from Hayden Hawk to Cullen Rosine on 4th-and-5 with 4:32 to play in the game.

The Mules struck first taking the opening kickoff 43 yards in 10 plays capped off by a 42-yard field goal from Zach Gebhardt. The big play on the drive took place when Hawk hit Tristan McClelland for 22 yards to the Griffon 31 yard line on third and 10.

After a couple of stalled drives by both teams UCM got the ball back on its own 14 yard line. On the third play of the drive Hawk hit Anthony Kirkwood, who broke a tackle and scampered 73 yards to the endzone for the touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Mules led 9-0.

The Griffons (1-0, 1-0 MIAA) responded on their next drive covering 70 yards in nine plays to get on the board. Raphael Spencer ran it in from 11 yards out to pull MWSU to within a pair at 9-7. 

Neither team could muster much offense the rest of the half. The Mules put together a nice final drive going 32 yards in nine plays, but Gebhardt's 42 yard field goal was wide right and UCM led by two at halftime.

The second half started just like the first half ended with both defenses dictating the game. After a UCM three-and-out the Griffons got the ball back on their own 22. On third and eight Travis Partridge's pass was intercepted by Tevin Teamer, who took it back 30 yards for a UCM touchdown and a 16-7 Mule lead.

Missouri Western answered back with a three-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 55-yard touchdown from Partridge to Stephon Weaver to pull the Griffons within 16-13.

Facing a third down and six to start the fourth quarter, Partridge found Derek Libby for a 56-yard touchdown to give the Griffons their first lead of the night at 20-16.

The Mules next possession started well with UCM marching to the Missouri Western 37, but the drive stalled and UCM punted. After forcing a three and out the Mules got the ball back on their own 47.

The Mules put together a 14-play, 53-yard drive to get the lead back. UCM converted three fourth downs on the drive, including the touchdown from Hawk to Rosine.

UCM forced another three and out on the Griffons next possession and got the ball back with 2:50 to play. The Mules came up a couple of yards short on third and three and were forced to punt, setting up the Griffons' final drive.

Hawk, making his first collegiate start, finished the game 28-of-42 for 322 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Ray Harris rushed 18 times for 40 yards and caught three balls for 34 yards. McClelland caught eight passes for 87 yards in his UCM debut, while Rosine and Kirkwood had four and three catches, respectively, along with a touchdown each.

Defensively, Zach Quines led UCM with nine tackles. Ramond Hunter had eight tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.

Partridge was 14-of-30 for 198 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, while also rushing 14 times for 57 yards. Spencer rushed 13 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. Weaver led the Griffon receiving corps with three catches for 75 yards.

Stephen Juergens led MWSU with 14 tackles, while Nick Williams added 10 stops.

This is the second straight season-opening loss to a ranked Missouri Western team. The Mules are now 5-7 against ranked opponents during the Jim Svoboda era and have lost 10 of the last 11 to the Griffons.

UCM is back in action next Saturday night at No. 3-ranked Northwest Missouri. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Bearcat Stadium. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com. Shawn Jones and UCM Hall of Famer Bill Turnage will have the call along with Greg Hassler. The Mules Tailgate show will begin at 4:40 p.m.