Tigers Score 14 in Fourth Quarter to Steal Win

HAYS, Kan. (August 30, 2018) - Central Missouri led by 10 going into the fourth quarter, but couldn't hang on against No. 5 Fort Hays State, who scored 14 unanswered in the final 4:46 of the game to steal the season opener from the Mules.

How it Happened
• All the numbers indicate the Mules should have won the game. They held an edge in total offense - 508-327, time of possession - 33:21-26:39, first downs 25-17 but the Tigers made key plays to keep the Mules off the scoreboard, and eventually got just enough offense late to upend the Mules.
• The game started as well as it could have for the Mules who drove down the length of the field on their opening possession. With a first-and-10 at the Tiger 23, Brook Bolles hit Devante Turner on a screen pass who took it all the way down the Fort Hays four yard line, but lost the ball into the hands of a Tiger defender to kill the drive.
• UCM was still able to score first though. After a three-and-out forced a Tiger punt, FHSU punter Dante Brown launched an 84-yard kick all the way back to the Mules 10 yard line. The Mules though drove 87 yards down to the Tiger three yard line, with most of the yardage coming on a 64-yard catch and run by Ryan Sass, but settled for an Alex Langer 20-yard field goal when Bolles couldn't connect with Kyrion Parker in the end zone. 
• That's how the first-quarter ended, with the Mules up 3-0. UCM held the ball for 9:38 of the opening frame. Fort Hays had -8 rushing yards in the quarter.
• On their second possession of the second quarter, Fort Hays evened the game at three-all on a Dante Brown 31-yard field goal. The Tigers drove 66 yards on 12 plays before tying the game.
• That lead didn't last long though as the Mules were finally able to find the endzone and regain the lead 10-3 with just 33 seconds left in the half. Bolles hit Kyrion Parker on a perfect fade-pass and Parker out-leapt the defender for the score. Turner and Koby Wilkerson rushed for 57 of the Mules 71 yards on the nine-play drive.
• The Mules went into the half leading 10-7 having out-gained FHSU, 334-138.
• On the first drive of the second-half Fort Hays got closer on a Brown 30-yard field goal, making it a 10-6 game. The Tigers converted on third-and-12 and third-and-11 to keep the drive alive.
• Perhaps the biggest play of the game occurred on the Mules ensuing possession. On third-and-11, Bolles rushed out of the pocket and was brought down hard, injuring his arm and did not return the rest of the game.
• Despite the injury, it was the Mules defense who kept the team in the game and allowed UCM to extend their lead. The Tigers gained just 28 yards on their first two possessions after Bolles exited, and in just 1:47 the Mules scored another touchdown, this time on a 43-yard run from Devante Turner. The extra point was blocked so the Mules led by 10, 16-6, after the third quarter.
• The Mules defense continued to show fight, forcing another three-and-out and the Mules were able to eat some time off the clock. With less than seven minutes to play, the Mules were still holding onto their 16-6 lead.
• Things started to unravel after that. After FHSU picked up a first down on third and one from the UCM 40, Tiger quarterback Jacob Mazera found Jmari Davis on a post pattern in the middle of the field for a 37-yard touchdown and with 4:46 left the play, the Mules lead was cut to three, 16-13.
• Just two plays into the Mules ensuing possession, quarterback Kyle Bradley lost the handle on the ball and the fumble was picked up by Hays at the UCM four yard line.
• On third and five, Mazera gave the Tigers the lead for good with a five-yard touchdown pass to Layne Bieberle.
• After a UCM penalty on the kickoff, it was Central Missouri's ball on their own six yard line, needing to go 94 yards for a score in the final 2:56.
• The Mules made it down to the Tiger 46, picking up one third down and two fourth down conversions along the way. But on second-and-10 from the FHSU 46, Bradley's pass was intercepted by the Tigers with 13 seconds left, and one play later, the Tigers escaped with a win.

It Was Over When...
• Although the Mules drove 48 yards on 15 plays, the Mazera touchdown to give the Tigers the lead with 2:56 brought the Tiger fans to life and was the knockout blow.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Before leaving the third quarter, Bolles was having a good game with 197 yards on 14 completions with one touchdown. He also rushed for 26 yards.
• Devante Turner led the Mules rushing attack with 106 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.
• Koby Wilkerson added 77 more yards on 13 carries.
• Kyrion Parker saw four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
• In backup duty, Kyle Bradley was 6-for-23 for 62 yards with an interception. He also ran eight times gaining 32 yards, but netting only 12.
• Dylan Albertson led the Mules defense with 10 tackles.
• Trevore Sanders entered the game at cornerback and made seven stops and had three pass breakups.
• Kolesen Crane had seven tackles, 2.5 for loss with one sack.

For the Tigers
• Jacob Mezera wasn't great, but he made big-plays when it mattered. He completed 19-of-40 passes for 226 yards with two touchdowns.
• Charles Tigner ran 11 times for 80 yards.
• Layne Bieberle caught eight of Mazera's 19 completions for 112 yards and a touchdown.
• Jmari Davis had two catches for 47 yards and a score. 
• Doyin Jibowu led all defenders with 12 tackles including a sack.

News and Notes
• The Tigers two fourth-quarter touchdowns came within 1:41 of each other.
• UCM held the ball for 10:24 of the fourth quarter but came away without any points.
• The Mules rushed for just 31 yards here last season, this time they picked up 245.
• By being taken out early, this is the first time in his career as a starter, Brook Bolles failed to throw for 200 yards. The last time a Mules starting quarterback failed to reach 200 yards passing was also at Fort Hays State. Garrett Fugate threw for 179 yards in the 2015 season finale.
• The Mules have dropped three of their last four to the Tigers.
• The Mules gained 508 yards of total offense, more than 200 than the Tigers allowed on average in 2017.
• Fort Hays blocked a field goal and an extra point, preventing the Mules from scoring four points, which was the difference in the game.

Up Next
• The Mules will be at home next Thursday, Sept. 6 to take on Northeastern State. The RiverHawks lost their first game 34-7 to Emporia State.