WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Oct. 12, 2019) - On an afternoon celebrating UCM homecoming, the Mules moved to 6-0 with a 44-26 win over Central Oklahoma. It wasn't easy as UCM fell behind 13-0, but the Mules outscored the Bronchos 44-13 in the final three quarters.
How it Happened
• The Mules offense was on display again, finding a nice balance between the passing and running game. UCM totaled 543 yards of offense with 301 yards passing and 242 yards rushing.
• Special Teams also played a factor for UCM. Their kickoff coverage allowed just 13.3 yards per return and UCM kicked three touchbacks. In the return game, UCM brought back a punt for a score and forced a special teams turnover all in the second half.
• Both teams lost two turnovers. The Bronchos scored 10 points while the Mules seven off of turnovers.
• UCM converted on 50% of their third down attempts, making 6-of-12 while the Bronchos were 9-of-20.
• Things got started on the Bronchos opening drive. They converted a pair of third downs before the drive stalled on the UCM 14 and they settled for a 32-yard field goal to start the scoring.
• On the ensuing kickoff return, the Bronchos knocked the ball loose and pounced on the fumble, setting up them at the UCM 17-yard line. The UCM defense held strong though and forced another Broncho field goal. A 26-yard attempt made it 6-0.
• The Mules were driving when another turnover, this time an interception, gave the Bronchos the ball back. It looked like UCM was about to force a three-and-out when the Bronchos converted on a third-and-17 to keep the drive alive. One play later, the Bronchos hit the endzone and led 13-0 with 4:40 left in the first.
• That was how the first quarter ended, but the Mules flipped the script in the second.
Brook Bolles hit
Zach Davidson for 16 on third-and-13 on the first play of the quarter to keep the drive alive. The Mules were gaining yards in chunks, and on first-and-goal from the three,
Devante Turner punched it in to get the Mules on the board.
• After another three-and-out from the UCM defense, the Mules took the lead when Bolles found Davidson. What should have been a short gain, turned into a 52-yard touchdown as Davidson avoided tacklers and tip-toed down the sideline and into the endzone for at 14-13 lead.
• UCM finished off the quarter with
Chris Diddle hitting a 28-yard field goal. They outscored the Bronchos 17-0 in the second and at the half led 17-13.
• The Mules got the ball to start the second half and Bolles was a perfect 3-3 leading the Mules back into the endzone. He found
Drew Slager from 10-yards out in the back of the endzone.
• UCM had scored 23 straight, but the Bronchos inched closer getting a 46-yard touchdown pass and with 10:49 left in the third, the Mules led 23-20.
• No issue for UCM though. Bolles continued to do work and just seven plays later hit Davidson for a 34-yard score as the Mules gained a 10-point edge, 30-20.
• With the Bronchos driving into UCM territory, it was time for the defense to make a big play.
Kolesen Crane came up with a one-handed interception and returned it 17 yards to end the scoring threat and set the Mules back up.
• While the Mules didn't score on that drive, they got the ball right back thanks again to Crane. UCM was forced to punt following the interception, but some backspin created chaos as the ball knicked a Broncho and Crane was right there to fall on the ball for the Mules.
• This time, UCM capitalized on Crane's turnover. Turner ran the ball in for his second score of the day as UCM went ahead 37-20 with less than 20 seconds left in the third.
• When the Bronchos drive to start the fourth stalled, they punted to
Devante Turner. Mistake. Turner ran the punt back 87 yards to put the exclamation point on the day for UCM.
• UCO got a late touchdown to make it 44-26, but that was all she wrote as UCM walked out with their sixth straight win.
It Was Over When...
•
Devante Turner, with a full head of steam broke tackles and returned a Broncho punt 87-yards early in the fourth quarter for a 44-20 UCM lead.
Mules Stat Leaders
• Turner lead the Mules offense with 314 all-purpose yards. Responsible for two of UCM's five touchdowns, the junior running back rushed for 190 yards on 26 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Turner also gained 11 receiving yards on one pass-completion and had 111 yards including an 87-yard punt return touchdown.
• Leading the Mules receiving offense was Davidson. Davidson scored two touchdowns while totaling 173 receiving yards. Davidson also recorded UCM's longest pass completion of the day at 52 yards, resulting in a touchdown.
• Bolles finished 17-for-32 and totaled 301 yards with three touchdowns.
• Defensively,
Carter Nicoli and
Jacob Wiggins led with eight tackles each.
• Nicoli and
Ubong Udom were responsible for the Mules two forced fumbles.
• Udom also finished with two of UCM's seven sacks, and lead the Mules defense with three tackles for a loss of 15 yards.
• Crane picked up an interception and six tackles. Three of his six tackles went for a loss with two sacks.
For the Bronchos
• Kole Calhoon completed 13-of-27 passes for 144 yard. He was taken out of the game and replaced by Will Colllins who was 8-16 for 83 yards.
• Saboor Daniels ran for 45 yards and a touchdown.
• Amonte Phillips caught 11 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.
• Taj Griffin added a touchdown reception and had two catches for 32 yards.
• O'Shay Harris led the defense with nine stops.
• Kolby Underwood had an interception and three tackles.
• Alex Quevedo was 2-2 on field goal attempts.
News and Notes
• This is just the sixth time in UCM history has started a season 6-0. The last was in 2002.
• The Mules have reached 30 points in all six games this season.
• With 301 yards passing
Brook Bolles moved into sixth place all-time in UCM history in passing yards with 5,946. His three touchdown passes also give him 50 for his career, just the fourth Mule to ever throw 50 touchdown passes.
• Turners punt return touchdown was the Mules first since Jaylen Zachery in Sept. of 2016.
• Turner also eclipsed 30 career rushing touchdowns. Only five Mules have ever hit that milestone.
•
Kolesen Crane has an interception in three straight games.
• All-time against the Bronchos, the Mules move to 6-2 and snap a two-game losing streak.
• UCM's defense has picked up at least four sacks in their last five games and seven sacks in two of their last three.
Up Next
• Central Missouri will be back on the road next week as they head to Emporia, Kan. for a 2 p.m. kickoff against the Hornets.
