Historic Mules Football Season Comes to Close at Ferris State

BIG RAPIDS Mich. (Nov. 30, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Football's historic season came to an end Saturday afternoon at the hands of No. 1 seed and second-ranked Ferris State. The Mules, playing in their fourth-ever postseason and second-ever second round game, fell to the Bulldogs 37-10. The season ends at 11-2, tying the most wins in team history.

How it Happened
• Ferris State did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 372 yards and four touchdowns. The Mules ran for 128 yards, but got behind in the second half and were forced into passing situations.
• The Mules threw for 100 more yards than Ferris State, 253-153. 
• Ferris State capitalized on four Mules turnovers and turned those into 14 points while the Mules didn't force any Bulldog turnovers.
• The Bulldogs also kept drives alive going 10-18 on third downs and 2-3 on fourth downs while UCM was just 2-12 on third down attempts.
• The Mules gained 381 yards of total offense, but were outgained by Ferris who picked up 525.
• Ferris State marched down the field on their opening driving, scoring on a two-yard rush in eight plays. They missed the extra point and led 6-0 before UCM touched the ball.
• The Mules answered with a touchdown drive of their own. In FSU territory. Brook Bolles hit Shae Wyatt on fourth-and-10 for 11 yards and a first down. Four plays later, Koby Wilkerson rushed 14 yards for a score and a 7-6 Mules lead.
• Both defense's kept the opposing offense out of the end zone for the rest of the quarter. UCM had a chance to extend their lead with first and goal on the Bulldogs three. After two incomplete passes, Bolles was intercepted on the goalline to end the scoring threat.
• After the two teams traded punts, the Mules were driving once again into Bulldog territory when a ball deflected off of Zach Davidson's hands and into the arms of a Ferris State defender. This time, the Bulldogs cashed in with a touchdown to regain the lead, 13-7.
• In the final minute of the half, Ferris added a field goal to their lead, connecting from 38 yards out and led 16-7. 
• The Mules came out of the gates firing to start the second half. On the very first play, Bolles hit Drew Slager for 60 yards down to the Bulldog 15. The FSU defense held the Mules to a field goal afterwards and Samuel Knowlton booted one from 26 yards and it was a six-point game, 16-10.
• Ferris answered though with an eight-play, 80-yard drive and again made it a two-score game, 23-10 following a 22 yard touchdown rush on fourth-and-four.
• The Bulldogs both padded their lead and drained the clock as they scored on a 19-play, 99-yard drive which took nearly eight minutes off the clock and after three quarters, the Bulldogs led 30-10.
• Ferris State added another touchdown in the fourth quarter to get to our final, 37-10.

It Was Over When...
• The Mules drive to start the fourth quarter ended on fourth-and-11 with an interception and gave the ball back to the Bulldogs down 30-10 with 12:54 left to play. Ferris ate up seven more minutes of the clock and scored making it a 37-10 game. 

Mules Stat Leaders
• Brook Bolles completed 19-of-37 passes for 253 yards. He also gained 14 yards on the ground.
• Drew Slager caught eight passes for 125 yards.
• Koby Wilkerson rushed 10 times for 43 yards with a touchdown.
• Devante Turner picked up 45 yards on the ground and caught two passes for 38 yards.
• Shae Wyatt had three receptions for 47 yards.
• Deven Smith made 13 tackles.
• Ubong Udom had five tackles with two sacks.

For the Bulldogs
• Travis Russell threw for 153 yards on 12-of-25 passes.
• Marvin Campbell rushed 19 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
• Tyler Minor totaled 82 yards on the ground.
• Dion Earls caught four passes for 29 yards.
• CJ Jefferson had 73 receiving yards on three catches with a touchdown.
• Najeem Hosein made 11 tackles including sack. on defense. 

News and Notes
• The eight catches and 125 yards are both UCM highs for Drew Slager.
• The Mules 11 wins on the season match a program record. 
• Brook Bolles finished his career with 8,364 yards and 68 touchdown passes, both second all-time at UCM.
• All-time in postseason games the Mules fall to 3-4.
• This is the first time in Mules history they have won a conference championship and playoff game in the same season.