Box Score (HTML) | Season Stats
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- The Central Missouri Mules won their fifth consecutive game with a 56-14 rout of Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon at Doc Wadley Stadium. The Mules racked up 649 yards in total offense including 405 yards rushing.
The Mules (6-2, 6-2 MIAA) wasted no time in jumping out to a two-score lead. Following a Northeastern State (0-8, 0-8 MIAA) three and out on the first drive of the game, the Mules marched 64 yards in just six plays to grab a 7-0 lead.
LaVance Taylor scored on an 18-yard scamper to put UCM in front.
Following another NSU punt, the Mules went 69 yards in three plays capped by a
Hayden Hawk one-yard touchdown run to grab a 14-0 lead just five minutes into the game. The big play on the drive was a 55-yard pitch and catch from Hawk to
Kyle Echols.
The Mules made it 21-0 midway through the second quarter when
Ray Harris scored on a 36-yard run. It capped a four-play, 54-yard drive.
The RiverHawks found new life late in the second quarter. Facing fourth and 10 at midfield the Mules had some confusion on a punt and it ended with an incomplete pass giving NSU the ball at midfild with 1:29 left in the half. Six plays later Kevin Pantastico found Garrett Powell for an 11-yard score to make it 21-7 at halftime.
The Mules put the game away early in the third quarter, scoring on their first two drives. UCM took the second half kickoff 73 yards in nine plays, capped by a Hawk to
Andrew Bakker 49-yard touchdown for a 28-7 lead. Following another NSU three and out the Mules made it 35-7 on
Sean Gorman's one-yard plunge. Taylor had rushes of one, 39 and four on the drive before Gorman finished it off.
The RiverHawks found paydirt on their next drive, a 75-yard 10-play drive culminating in a Joel Rockmore four-yard run to make it 35-14 at the end of three quarters.
The Mules tacked on three more scores in the fourth quarter for the 56-14 final. Hawk found
Josh Pickrell for a four-yard touchdown early in the fourth and
Evan Campbell added a pair of touchdown runs from 69 and eight yards out on successive possessions to put the finishing touches on UCM's fifth straight win.
Harris and Taylor both went over 100 yards rushing as the Mules registered the third highest single-game team rushing total in program history. Taylor had 175 yards on 19 carries, while Harris tallied a career-high 169 yards on nine carries. Campbell added 77 yards on four carries.
Hawk finished the day 15-of-26 for 244 yards and two scores.
Justus McMullen had a team-high four catches for 30 yards, while Echols had two grabs for 72 yards.
The 649 yards in total offense is the fourth highest single game total in school history.
For NSU, Pantastico was 16-of-28 for 189 yards and a score. Rockmore had 53 yards rushing on 13 carries as the UCM defense held the RiverHawks to 276 yards in total offense.
Defensively, UCM was led by
Sam Smith's eight tackles. The Mules registered 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. UCM also picked off one pass with
Monteze Latimore recording his first career pick.
Jack Cronin had a career-best two sacks.
Steffon Herd led the NSU defense with 11 total tackles. Carson Smallwood had seven tackles and two tackles for loss.
The Mules return home next Saturday to host Lindenwood in the MIAA Television Game of the Week. Kickoff from Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field is set for 2:07 p.m. due to the game being televised.The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler and Bill Turnage on the call. The Mules Tailgate Show will begin at 12:50 p.m.
