WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Oct. 26, 2019) - No. 11 Central Missouri Mules Football remains unbeaten after a 36-28 win over Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon in Warrensburg. The Mules move to 8-0 on the season and remain in first place in the MIAA.
How It Happened
• It was a low-scoring game until the final quarter. Through three, both teams combined for 33 points before exploding for four touchdowns and a field goal in the final frame.
• The Mules used a balanced offensive attack with 257 yards passing and 233 yards on the ground. UCM out gained Pitt 489-401.
• UCM didn't do themselves any favors converting just 3-of-12 third downs and committing nine penalties for 98 yards.
• Where the Mules did excel, was holding onto the football. They were a plus-two in the turnover department, coming up with two interceptions.
• Things started out well for the Mules as they scored on their first two drives.
Devante Turner rushed for 11 yards on fourth-and-four to keep the drive alive and
Brook Bolles connected with
Cameron Saunders on a crossing route for an 18-yard touchdown.
• After a Gorilla three-and-out the Mules offense was back on the field. Bolles found a wide-open
Zach Davidson this time for an 11-yard score and a 13-0 Mules lead.
• That was it for the Mules scoring in the first half. Following UCM's second touchdown Pitt State responded scoring on a 25-yard rush from Tyler Adkins.
• Early in the second, Pitt State took their first lead of the game, 14-13, getting a 27-yard touchdown rush from Brandon Mlekus. The Gorillas needed just four plays and 2:09 to drive 95 yards.
• UCM had some chances before the half to retake the lead, but missed a 41 yard field goal and took themselves out of field goal range with penalties on their final drive of the half.
• The offensive drought continued well into the third quarter. The Mules still trailed PSU by one, 14-13, with less than two minutes to play in the third.
• On a third-and-seven from the UCM 30,
Deven Smith intercepted Mak Sexton and returned it 33 yards to give the Mules the lead back and bring the crowd back onto their feet. UCM's two-point attempt was unsuccessful and heading into the fourth, the Mules led 19-14.
• Every drive in the fourth quarter led to a score, except the last one when all UCM needed to do was take a knee to run out the clock. It started with a 43-yard field goal from
Samuel Knowlton to put the Mules up eight, 22-14.
• PSU made it a one-score game, 22-20, getting down the field and scoring on a 26-yard Bryce Murphy touchdown run.
• UCM took some time off the clock and brought it back to a two-score game, 29-20, as
Devante Turner rushed in from seven yards out. A PSU pass-interference penalty on third-down gave the Mules new life which they took advantage of.
• Three plays later the UCM defense came up big again.
Kolesen Crane secured an interception and returned it down to the Gorillas six yard line. Two plays later,
Brook Bolles did the work himself, rushing up the middle for a 36-20 lead.
• PSU took advantage of what the Mules defense gave them underneath on their ensuing drive. They scored with 2:45 left in the game on a fourth and two pass from Mak Sexton to Lorenzo West. The drive went 68 yards in 17 plays.
• The Gorillas chose to try an onside kick which went right into the arms of
Shae Wyatt. The Mules picked up two first downs and never gave the ball back to PSU.
It Was Over When...
• On third and one from the Gorilla 23,
Devante Turner rushed for four yards and a first down. With no timeouts left, the Mules were able to run out the clock with one kneel down.
Mules Stat Leaders
•
Brook Bolles completed 14 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on the ground and ran for 37 yards.
•
Devante Turner ran 23 times for 99 yards and a touchdown. Turner added 65 return yards.
•
Koby Wilkerson did it both on the ground and through the air. He rushed 13 times for 98 yards and caught three passes for 79 yards.
•
Cameron Saunders caught three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
•
Dylan Price led the Mules with nine tackles.
•
Deven Smith and
Kolesen Crane each had interceptions.
•
Ubong Udom and Marquis Cooper had a sack each.
For the Gorillas
• Brandon Mlekus rushed 18 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 69 yards.
• Tyler Adkins rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown.
• Mak Sexton completed 10 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
• Lorenzo West caught seven passes for 108 yards and a score.
• Kaden Roy and Morgan Selemaea each made eight tackles.
News and Notes
• This is just the second time in Mules history they have started off 8-0, also doing so in 2002.
• Central Missouri has now won four of the last five meetings with the Gorillas.
• For the fourth time this season, the Mules did not have a lead at halftime. They are 4-0 in those games.
• This is the second straight week the Mules have returned an interception for a touchdown.
• The Mules defense has pitched shutouts in the the third quarter in back-to-back games and three of the last four.
•
Brook Bolles surpassed 4,000 career passing yards and moved into second all-time at UCM with 4,022. He also moved up to third all-time in career touchdown passes with 53.
•
Devante Turner moved into sixth all-time in rushing yards and now has 2,274.
•
Zach Davidson scored his 12th receiving touchdown of the season. That puts him into a tie for third all-time for a single season.
•
Kolesen Crane's interception was his fourth this season, most for the Mules in a single-season since
Dylan Albertson picked off five in 2016.
Up Next
• The Mules will go on the road to take on Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers are 5-3 following a 37-31 loss to Fort Hays State. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
