Mules Football Rallies for Comeback Win on Opening Night

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Aug. 31, 2017) - Central Missouri Mules Football (1-0) got off to a slow start, but helped by a 19-0 run in the second half, came back for a 28-23 win over Pittsburg State (0-1) on opening night.

How it Happened
• Central Missouri scored on their opening possession of the game, a 13 yard rush from quarterback Brook Bolles. The lead was short lived as the Gorillas took a 10-6 lead after the first quarter. UCM got within one on an Alex Langer field goal, but Pittsburg State scored with 61 seconds to go in the half to go up seven, 16-9.
• Pittsburg State needed to change quarterbacks at the half and couldn't find their stride on offense. Central Missouri scored 19 straight points in the second half, getting a 33 yard touchdown pass from Bolles to Seth Hebert on fourth-and-two, and a 50 yard scamper from Devante Turner.
• Pitt State finally spoiled the second half shutout with a late touchdown, but the Mules recovered the Gorillas onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.

It was Over When
• Leading by six, 22-16, with just over four minutes to play, Turner had ideas other than just running out the clock. He took the handoff on the Mules first play of the drive right up the gut and went untouched to the endzone for a 50 yard score. 

Stat Leaders
• Bolles made his first career start for UCM and performed well. He finished 15-for-37 for 226 yards, a touchdown and two first half interceptions. Bolles settled down a bit in the second half, completing 9-of-18 passes for 141 yards a touchdown and no interceptions.
• The Mules utilized a big day on the ground rushing for 244 yards. Bolles and Turner each ran for a score, but it was redshirt freshman Koby Wilkerson who led the way with 122 yards on 13 carries. Turner finished with 64 yards on nine attempts and Bolles rushed 11 times for 61 yards. 
• Hebert and junior transfer Kyrion Parker proved to be the favorite targets for Bolles. They each finished with four catches. Parker had a game-high 88 yards including 45 on the very first play from scrimmage. Hebert finished with 49 yards and a score. 
• Central Missouri saw a big uptick in their kicking game. Zach Davidson punted five times and averaged 43.6 yards per kick and downed three kicks inside the 20. Alex Langer was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, good from 39 yards, 20, and 28. It wasn't all good for Langer though making his UCM debut. He missed a pair of extra points, including having one blocked.

On the Defensive
• Central Missouri managed just one turnover, when Conner Flagel recovered a fumble caused by a Kolesen Crane quarterback sack, but they held the 2016 offensive leaders to just 371 total yards and 23 points, well below their 2016 average.
• The Mules got to the quarterback five times and had seven pass breakups. Crane dropped the QB twice, causing them to lose 18 yards.
• Crane, along with Alex Lackey led the Mules with nine tackles apiece. 

For the Gorillas
• The two Gorilla quarterbacks, John Rodrique and Thomas LePage combined for 242 yards and a touchdown on 19-of-38 passing. LePage led the way throwing for 140 yards and a score.
• On the ground, Pitt State gained 129 yards on 41 attempts. Tucker Horak led the team with 66 yards.
• Brenner Clemons was the biggest recipient of the Gorillas passing offense. He caught six passes for 76 yards and a 29 yard touchdown pass with 1:23 left to play in the game.
• Defensively, the Gorillas picked Bolles off twice, including getting a 21 yard run back from Juante Baldwin. Creighton Sanders led the team with seven tackles.

News and Notes
• Central Missouri has defeated Pittsburg State three straight times for the first time in team history and just the 11th time overall. 
• The Mules offensive line protected their new quarterback and didn't give up a sack.
• Mules coach Jim Svoboda improves to 5-3 in season openers and has won his last three.
• Langer's three field goals are the most in the game since the 2014 season. It is just the 23rd time in Mules history a kicker has made at least three field goals in a single game.
• Making their first career starts for UCM, Bolles, Wilkerson and Parker combined for 498 yards of offense.

Up Next
• The Mules will play another Thursday game a week from today. They'll hit the road and travel to Hays, Kan. to take on Fort Hays State, who defeated Missouri Southern 48-7, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.