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MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Central Missouri was limited to 195 yards of total offense in a 37-15 loss to No. 1 Northwest Missouri on Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Stadium. The Mules were limited to just one yard rushing in the loss that drops them to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

The Mules struggled offensively throughout the game and were unable to sustain drives. UCM had only 11 total yards in the first half.

The Bearcats (3-0, 3-0 MIAA) jumped on top on their first drive of the game. A short UCM punt gave NWMSU great field position near midfield. It took the Bearcats seven plays and just 2:53 to drive 53 yards for the opening score, a Brady Bolles one-yard sneak on fourth and goal.

The Mules were forced to punt on their next possession, but a muffed fair catch gave UCM new life at the Bearcat 39. The ensuing drive started off going the wrong direction, but a roughing the passer call gave UCM a first down at the NWMSU 27. A rush for no gain, a sack and an incomplete pass, however, and the Mules were forced to punt again.

The Bearcats drove deep into UCM territory on their next possession, but Ricky Spratley recovered a fumble in the end zone to thwart the scoring chance. A quick three and out, however, gave the ball back to Northwest at their own 45. Three plays later, Bolles found Korey Jackson for a 20-yard score and NWMSU led 14-0.

The Mules responded with a their next drive to get back into the game. Anthony Kirkwood ran the kickoff back 58 yards to the Bearcat 39 and seven plays later Hayden Hawk found Justus McMullen for his first career touchdown, a 15-yarder to pull UCM with 14-7.

Neither team mustered much on the next couple of drives, but a late 13-play, 56-yard drive set up a 22-yard field goal for Simon Mathiesen and Northwest Missouri led 17-7 at halftime.

The Mules forced a quick Bearcat punt to start the third quarter, but UCM was unable to get going offensively and on the ensuing possession Northwest Missouri went ahead 24-7 on a 36 yard end-around pass from Randy Schmidt to Jason Jozaites.

The Bearcats made it 31-7 on their next possession when Robert Burton rushed in from a yard out. The drive lasted 12 plays and 88 yards and took 6:31 off the clock.

Central Missouri put together a good drive to start the fourth quarter, going 75 yards in seven plays with Hawk running it in from five yards out. The two-point conversion was good and UCM trailed 31-15. 

The Mule defense provided some life on the next possession when J.R. Alexander intercepted Bolles and returned it to near midfield. The Mules drove to the Northwest 37, but on fourth and five Hawk was sacked for the eighth time in the game.

The Bearcats put the game away for good on the ensuing possession. They drove 58 yards in eight plays capped by a five yard Burton touchdown run to lead 37-15.

UCM finished the game with just one net yard rushing on 28 carries and 195 total yards. The Bearcats rolled up 486 yards of offense, including 321 through the air and 165 on the ground.

Garrett Fugate rushed five times for 41 yards to lead UCM. Hawk was 19-of-32 for 183 yards with a score. LaVance Taylor was limited to just seven yards rushing on seven carries.

Burton ran the ball 18 times for 60 yards and a pair of scores, while Bolles finished the day 18-of-30 for 285 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Bearcats held the ball for 34:00 in the game.

The Mules return home next Saturday to host Nebraska-Kearney at 1:30 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field on Family Weekend. 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 12:20 p.m. A pay-per-view student-run webcast is also available through Stretch Internet and the UCM Media Network. Fans can access the webcast through the Live Video links on UCMathletics.com or by clicking the Game Central ad at the bottom UCMathletics.com main page.