Mules Suffer First Home Loss of 2018 to Hornets

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Oct. 13, 2018) - Central Missouri Mules Football fell to Emporia State Saturday afternoon, 41-23. The Mules are now 3-4 for the season and in the MIAA.

How it Happened
• The Hornets scored first and held the lead the entire game.
• ESU picked up 489 yards to UCM's 435. Both teams had a balanced attack with the Hornets rushing for 211 and passing for 278 while the Mules gained 170 on the ground and 265 through the air.
• Turnovers played a major factor in the game with the Hornets forcing three while the Mules were held without one.
• The Mules held the ball for 31:18 while the Hornets had possession for 28:42.
• Following a defensive stand on the Mules first possession, the Hornets found the end zone on theirs. Braxton Marstall was 6-7 on the drive and capped it with a one-yard rush to put the Hornets on top 7-0. 
• The Mules answered with a 15-play drive of their own, including a 3rd-and-16 conversion. Alex Langer got the Mules on the board with a 30-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3 with just under two minutes left in the first quarter.
• The second quarter is where the Hornets took control. They scored three touchdowns, the first one on the first play of the quarter. Marstall ran for his second score, this time a 23 yard scamper up the middle of the field.
• UCM again had an answer on their next possession. The Mules converted on a fourth-down in ESU territory and on third-and-goal, Jeremy Hunt found Jalen Marsalis for a four-yard score, making it 13-10 Emporia State.
• The Hornets put some distance on UCM with two unanswered scores. Just over a minute after the Mules score, Land Nault rushed 61 yards for the Hornets into the endzone, making it a 20-10 game. 
• Following a Hunt interception, ESU needed just two plays to score on a three-yard pass from Marstall to Tyler Harris, going up 27-10.
• UCM was able to score once more before the half, cutting the lead to 27-17. UCM drove 65 yards in 3:25 when Hunt found Ryan Sass for a 22-yard score.
• Near the end of the third quarter, the Mules were able to pin the Hornets inside their own 10-yard line. That didn't stop the Hornets from driving 93 yards on seven plays to again go up by 17, 34-17 after a 34-yard touchdown pass.
• The Mules appeared to be set to answer once again, when a fumble in ESU territory was scooped up by Parker Bass who returned it 74 yards for a score and put the Hornets up 41-17.
• UCM was able to put one more touchdown on the board when Hunt found Marsalis for the second time, this time from 24-yards out, but it was the final time either team scored.
• Emporia State effectively milked the clock in the final nine minutes and the Mules turned the ball over on downs on their final drive.

It was Over When...
• A Mules fumble inside of ESU territory put a halt to a seven-play drive for the Mules. Not only did UCM lose possession, but the Hornets returned the fumble 74 yards for a score, putting them up 41-17 with just over 11 minutes left to play.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Jeremy Hunt finished 18-48 for 265 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Devante Turner ran 18 times for 99 yards. Koby Wilkerson added 61 yards on 12 touches. Turner also ran back four kicks for 98 yards with a long of 35.
• Zion Perry was the Mules leading pass catcher with six receptions. He gained 61 yards.
• Jalen Marsalis scored two touchdowns on three catches for 45 yards.
• Shae Wyatt led UCM with 68 receiving yards on five catches.
• Ryan Sass scored a touchdown with two catches for 42 yards.
• John Embrey led the Mules defense with 12 tackles including one sack.
• Codie Bell and Kolesen Crane each had seven stops.
• Zach Davidson averaged 49.5 yards on four punts with a long of 54 and two inside the 20.
• Alex Langer connected for a 30 yard field goal in his only attempt.

For the Hornets
• Braxton Marstall finished 24-33 for 278 yards with two touchdowns. He also ran 15 times for 63 yards and two scores.
• Landon Nault rushed 21 times for 114 yards and a score.
• Tyler Harris led all receivers with seven catches for 92 yards with a touchdown.
• Logan Thompson and Jace McDown each had nine stops on defense.
• Parker Bass returned a fumble for a touchdown and had five tackles and 0.5 sacks.
• Marek Thompson finished with two sacks and four tackles.

News and Notes
• This is the Mules first home loss in their last 12 games. Their previous came Sept. 24, also to the Hornets.
• Shae Wyatt failed to reach 100 receiving yards for the first time in the last five games.
• Jalen Marsalis' touchdowns were the first two of his career with UCM.
• The Mules now lead the all-time series with ESU 40-20-4.
• This is the first time UCM has lost back-to-back games since Oct. of 2016.

Up Next
• The Mules will be on the road to take on Pittsburg State, Saturday, Oct. 20. The game will be broadcast on KMOS channel 6 with a 2:05 p.m. kickoff.