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WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Mules erupted for 31 second half points to pull away from Washburn in a 44-0 rout at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field on Saturday afternoon. It's the second shutout of the
Jim Svoboda era and the second in the last two years after shutting out Nebraska-Kearney last November.
After an empty drive for each team to start the game, Washburn took over and drove to the UCM 20. Justin Linn came on to attempt a 37-yard field goal, but
Ramond Hunter blocked it and the Mules took over at their own 20.
The Mules took the ensuing possession 74 yards in nine plays before
Will Mondragon booted a 23-yard field goal to give UCM a 3-0 lead.
The Mules made it 10-0 midway through the second quarter when
Hayden Hawk rushed for a six-yard score. UCM was set up in great field position by
Connor Smith's interception and 18 yard return to the Washburn 12-yard line. UCM forced a three and out on the Ichabods' next possession and Mondragon drilled a 31-yard field goal to give Central Missouri a 13-0 lead at halftime.
UCM took the opening drive of the second half 59 yards in eight plays to take a 20-0 lead when Hawk scored on a two-yard run.
LaVance Taylor had runs of seven, six, 19 and a reception for 14 yards on the drive.
After a pair of punts the Mules defense struck again with a
J.R. Alexander interception at the Washburn 45 yard line. UCM turned that turnover into three more points on a Mondragon 28-yarder to lead 23-0.
Following another Washburn three and out, the Mules scored on Hawk's third rushing touchdown of the day to lead 30-0. He rushed untouched up the middle for a 16-yard score.
Travion Vaughn got in on the action in the fourth quarter when he picked off a Joel Piper pass and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown to give UCM a 37-0 lead. The Mules tacked on the final score of the game to make it 44-0 when
Ray Harris scampered in from 23 yards out.
The Mules had 28 first downs and 451 yards in total offense in the game while holding Washburn to 183 yards and 10 first downs. UCM had 222 yards on the ground and 229 through the air.
Hawk finished the day 18-of-32 for 194 yards. He added 61 yards rushing and the three scores. Taylor rushed 21 times for 83 yards.
Cullen Rosine had a team-high six catches for 52 yards.
Defensively,
Sam Smith led UCM with nine total tackles in his first collegiate start. He also had a tackle for loss as the Mule defense registered six tackles for loss, one sack and three interceptions.
Zeke Palmer was 12-of-25 passing for 116 yards and two interceptions for the Ichabods. Vershon Moore had 13 carries for 36 yards in the ground game. Calvin Kenney led the WU defense with 17 total tackles, while Jaime Myers had 11 with two tackles for loss.
The Mules are back in action next Saturday hosting Central Oklahoma on Homecoming. Kickoff at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field is set for 1:30 p.m. with the Mules Tailgate Show beginning at 12:20 p.m. on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com.
