EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (Dec. 2, 2017) - It was a fitting end to the 2017 Mules Football season in that their 38-28 win over No. 23 Minnesota-Duluth resembled so many that came before it earlier in the season. Trailing at the half, 22-10, the Mules came to life in the second half, scoring four touchdowns, to earn their fourth all-time bowl win. Central Missouri finishes the season at 9-3.
How it Happened
• The Mules totaled nearly 500 yards of total offense and both teams combined went over 1,000, totaling 1,023 yards of offense.
• Central Missouri had a balanced attack totaling more than 300 yards through the air and nearly 200 on the ground.
•
Brook Bolles kept a clean sheet and the Mules turned the ball over just once and gave up only one sack.
• As they have most of the season, Central Missouri relied on a quick-strike offense, scoring two touchdowns in less than one minute and returned a kickoff for a score.
• Central Missouri got on the board first with a 24-yard touchdown reception from Bolles to
Jovante Siglar.
• The lead didn't last long as Minnesota-Duluth answered on their next drive. They went 75 yards in 11 plays and ate of 4:20 before scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs successfully went for two and held onto that lead for the rest of the half.
•
Alex Langer kicked a 41-yard field goal in between two Bulldog touchdowns, and at the half, UMD led 22-10.
• The Mules got to work right away in the second half, scoring on their first possession. Bolles completed a pair of passes to convert third downs to set up
Devante Turner's three-yard rush.
• Again the Bulldogs answered with a long drive, this one going 83 yard in 10 plays covering 5:42 to regain their two score lead, 28-17.
• The ensuing kickoff saw
Jaylen Zachery return it 100 yards to get the Mules right back to within five, 28-23.
• Just two minutes later, the Mules took their first lead, 31-28 when
Seth Hebert scored from 29 yards out on a pass from Bolles.
Koby Wilkerson added the two-point conversion to put UCM up by three.
• Bolles added the final touches with a 40-yard touchdown run and the defense did the rest, holding the Bulldogs off the scoreboard to complete the comeback win.
It Was Over When...
• Central Missouri was able to maintain their 10-point lead over the final 10:22 thanks to their defense. It looked like the Bulldogs were about to get back to a one-score game with as a catch and run saw Johnny McCormick get down to the one and just as he was about to cross the goalline, safety
Tyron Taylor jarred the ball loose and
Diaron Rhodes fell on the fumble in the endzone for a touchback. Central Missouri held on to the ball for the remainder of the game, but not without some tricks up their sleave. On 4th and 2 at their own 28 yard line, the Mules faked a punt and punter
Zach Davidson took off 16 yards and the Mules kept possession.
Mules Stat Leaders
• Bolles scored three times, twice through the air and once on the ground. He completed 19-of-34 passes for 281 yards and rushed for 82 more.
• Turner carried the ball 17 times for 64 yards including a score.
• Hebert led the Mules with five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.
• Zachery caught three passes for 63 yards and returned five kickoffs for 192.
• Siglar also caught three passes totaling 43 yards with a touchdown. He also completed a 21 yard pass.
• Taylor played a part in two Mules turnovers, forcing a fumble and picked off a Bulldog pass in the third.
•
Austin Miller led the team with nine tackles.
•
Connor Flagel and
Rick Pesek each had a sack.
For the Bulldogs
• John Larson led the team throwing for 371 yards and three touchdowns, completing 23-of-47 passes. He also totaled 50 yards on the ground.
• Ben Everhart threw for 78 yards and was 6-of-8.
• Dre Greer scored the lone Bulldogs rushing touchdown. It was his only carry of the day from one yard out.
• Three Bulldogs secured six catches for at least 90 yards. Jason Balts had a game-high 110 yards, Johnny McCormick 98 and Dominic Bonner 91 and a touchdown.
• Cory Dixon finished with a game-high 10 tackles.
News and Notes
• The win gives UCM nine for the second straight season. That's the first time that has happened since 2002-03.
• UCM is now 2-1 all-time in the Mineral Water Bowl with both wins coming against Minnesota-Duluth. The win also pushes the Mules to 4-3 all-time in bowl games.
• Punter
Zach Davidson is now the Mules single-season record holder averaging 44.3 yards per kick, two yards more than the previous single-season record.
• Jaylen Zachery finishes his outstanding career with 172 receptions for 2,755 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. He also has 1,832 return (kick and punt) yards and 4,641 all-purpose yards.
•
Brook Bolles capped his first year as a starter going 242-for-430 and 3,766 yards with 23 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for nine more scores and his 4,322 yards of total offense is the second most in a single-season in UCM history.
•
Devante Turner scored 1 rushing touchdowns which is the fourth most in a single season and his 108 total points are tied for fifth.
• The win over the 23rd ranked Bulldogs is UCM's second win against a ranked opponent this season. The last time UCM beat two top-25 teams came in 2014.
• In seven of the Mules 12 games in 2017, they trailed at the half. This is the their fourth win after trailing for the first 30 minutes.
