ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Nov. 11, 2017) - It took a while for the Mules offense to get going, but when they finally did, they took the game over in the fourth quarter to defeat Lindenwood 31-24. The win means the Mules finish the regular season at 8-3, their fourth straight season with at least eight wins.
How it Happened
• It was a defensive struggle for the first three quarters, but the Mules offense came to life over the final 15 minutes, scoring 17 fourth-quarter points.
• The Mules didn't take their first lead until there was 2:08 left in the game after Devante Turner's second touchdown.
• Mules offense totaled 405 yards with 143 yards on the ground and 262 through the air.
• Central Missouri won the turnover battle with an interception and fumble recovery while losing the ball once via fumble.
• The Mules defense picked up six sacks which totaled a loss of 57 yards.
• Lindenwood went up by 10 on three separate occasions. Their first was after a 21 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter with 8:36 left in the half.
• Turner answered with his first touchdown of the game with a two-yard rush near the end of the half to get the Mules on the board and got UCM to within three, 10-7 at the half.
• Both teams scored a touchdown in the third and the Lions opened the first with a touchdown in the first minute of the fourth.
• From there, the Mules scored 17 unanswered, getting a 30 yard flea-flicker touchdown pass from Brook Bolles to
Jaylen Zachery. Alex Langer hit a season-long 47 yard field goal to tie things at 24 and Turner punched in his second TD from a yard out for the final score.
It Was Over When...
• After the Mules touchdown gave them a 31-24 lead, the Lions still had two minutes to try to answer. After moving the ball 28 yards, Lindenwood went for a home run, getting single coverage on the outside, but
Monteze Latimore was stride for stride with wide receiver Kai Collier and turned in his fourth interception of the season. The senior, from the St. Louis area who had a number of family members in the crowd, sealed the win, giving the ball back to the Mules with just 26 seconds left to play.
Mules Stat Leaders
• Turner was the Mules leading rusher. He got the ball 16 times and ran for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
• Bolles failed to throw for 300 yards for the first time since week three, He totaled 262 yards with two touchdowns.
• Jovante Siglar was the leading receiver with five catches for 52 yards.
•
Jaylen Zachery and Kyrion Parker each had a receiving touchdown. Zachery had a team-best 83 yards.
• Big day for punter Zach Davidson. He averaged 55.7 yards on three punts with a long of 65.
• On defense, Jackson Newman led the team with 11 tackles.
•
Diaron Rhodes had eight tackles and a fumble recovery, along with two pass breakups.
• Deven Smith had his best game of the season with six tackles and two sacks.
• Connor Flagel and Mark Cushing also had sacks for UCM.
For the Lions
• Najee Jackson threw for 222 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 58 yards, but lost 68 on six sacks.
• Shakeem Wharton rushed for 58 yards on seven carries. Calen Campbell added 48 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
• Deantrell Prince had a game-high eight receptions and 102 yards with a touchdown.
• CJ Bivens and Darrius Williams led the team with 10 tackles each. Bivens also added a sack.
News and Notes
• The Mules won eight games for the fourth straight season and are 25-8 over the last three seasons.
• Latimore's interception gives him 12 for his career and moves him into the top-five all-time at UCM.
• With his two touchdowns, Devante Turner has 16 rushing touchdowns on the season, which is tied for fourth all-time at UCM. He also went over 100 points this season, just the 10th Mule to ever do that.
• Central Missouri won for the third time this season when trailing at the half.
• The Mules remain undefeated against Lindenwood all time at 7-0.
Up Next
• We will find out shortly what lies ahead for the Mules. The NCAA selection show is tomorrow afternoon and if the Mules remain outside the top-seven, there is a chance for a berth in the annual Mineral Water Bowl.
