WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Nov. 23, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Football won their first playoff game since 2010. The Mules got a lead in the second quarter and never looked back as they defeated the Greyhounds 37-27. The win is the Mules 11th for the season and they move on to round two of the NCAA Tournament.
How it Happened
• The Mules outgained UIndy 464-372.
• Neither team turned the ball over in the game.
• Central Missouri was 6-15 on third downs while the Mule defense held the Greyhounds to just 3-13.
• Both teams committed their share of penalties, UCM eight for 79 yards and Indy seven for 53 yards.
• Evenly matched game in terms of time of possession with the Greyhounds keeping the ball for 29:42 and the Mules 29:22.
• After giving up 10 first quarter points, the Mules defense allowed just 17 the rest of the way, eight late in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.
• The game started well for the Greyhounds. They marched down the field and scored on their opening possession. Seven plays and 75 yards in 3:12 for a 7-0 lead.
• UCM looked ready to answer getting down inside the Indy five yard line, but the Greyhounds defense held strong and forced a field goal.
• The Greyhounds went back on top by seven, 10-3 after a short field goal of their own and after 15 minutes led by a touchdown, 10-3.
• Central Missouri again drove down the field and inside the Indy 10, but needed to settle for a field goal for the second time. Twenty-six yards from
Samuel Knowlton.
• UCM's defense forced a three-and-out and on third-and-four from the Indianapolis 33 yard line,
Brook Bolles threw a strike down the middle of the field to
Zach Davidson for a 33-yard touchdown giving the Mules their first lead, 13-10.
• UCM led the rest of the way, padding their lead in the second with a Bolles to
Shae Wyatt 14-yard touchdown pass. Heading into halftime, the Mules led by 10, 20-10.
• Indianapolis got back to within one score in the third driving 70 yards on 10 plays and getting a 17 yard score, but missed the extra point, making it a four-point game, 20-16.
• The teams traded field goals before Bolles hit Wyatt for a second time, this time from 23 yards out giving the Mules some cushion, 30-19.
•
Ubong Udom's third down sack on the ensuing Indy possession gave the Mules the ball back with 5:29 left in the quarter and three plays later,
Koby Wilkerson rushed in from 11 yards out, extending the lead to 37-19.
• Indy got one touchdown back 56 seconds left, but the onside kick attempt fell into the arms of Wyatt and two kneel-downs later and the Mules are moving on.
It Was Over When...
• Udom's sack with the Mules already up 11 gave UCM the ball back 5:29 left to play. Three plays later Wilkerson put the exclamation point on the win with an 11 yard touchdown score.
Mules Stat Leaders
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Brook Bolles completed 27-of-37 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns.
•
Shae Wyatt was the hot target with nine catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
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Zach Davidson added a score and 90 receiving yards on five catches.
•
Devante Turner rushed 18 times for 60 yards.
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Koby Wilkerson had a rushing score and 37 yards on the ground.
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Deven Smith led the defense with seven tackles including 2.5 for a loss.
•
Ubong Udom had the Mules only sack of the game.
•
Samuel Knowlton was a perfect 3-3 on field goal attempts with a long of 26.
For the Greyhounds
• TJ Edwards threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns completing 17-of-37 passes.
• Aaron Matio caught six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
• Al McKeller totaled 84 yards on the ground on 15 carries and a touchdown.
• Alex Parsons had a game-high 11 tackles, 3.5 for a loss with one sack.
News and Notes
• The Mules 11 wins match a team-high for a single-season.
• UCM moves to 3-3 all-time in NCAA postseason games.
• In home playoff games, the Mules are 2-0 all-time.
• Bolles' 27 completions are his most in a game this season.
• Bolles also moved over 8,000 career yards passing in the win and 4,000 yards this season, the second quarterback to ever reach those milestones.
•
Shae Wyatt has surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards and moved up to fourth place all-time.
• This was the Mules and Greyhounds first ever meeting.
Up Next
• The Mules will travel to take on No. 1 seed Ferris State next Saturday, Nov. 30 in Big Rapids, Mich. As the No. 1 seed, Ferris State earned a bye in round one of the playoffs.
