UCM sidelines celebration vs. Fort Hays State
Sam Lutz

Football

No. 6 Mules Football Welcomes No. 24 Henderson State to Warrensburg for NCAA-II Playoffs First Round Game Saturday

NCAA-II Football Championship First Round Game
Game 12: No. 6 Central Missouri (10-1) vs. No. 24 Henderson State (9-2)
Saturday, Nov. 18 | 1 p.m. | Warrensburg, Mo. (Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field)
Radio: 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler, pxp; Joe Moore, color; Brinkley Beever, sideline)
TV: NCAA.com (PPV) | NCAA-II First Round Playoff Central | Buy Tickets
 
SCENE SETTER
  • No. 6-ranked and MIAA Co-Champion Central Missouri Mules football (10-1) is scheduled to host No. 24-ranked Henderson State (9-2) in a NCAA-II First Round Playoff game Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg.
  • Saturday's playoff game will mark the fifth time in program history UCM will appear in the NCAA playoffs and the first time since 2019.
  • UCM is ranked No. 6 in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the latest D2Football.com poll. The Mules finished the regular season number four in the NCAA-II Super Region III rankings.
  • Through 11 games, Central Missouri still leads the nation in passing offense with an average of 412.8 yards per game, first downs with 346 and total offense with an average of 598.9 yards per game.
  • With 11 games in the books, quarterback and 2023 Harlon Hill candidate Zach Zebrowski continues to lead NCAA Division II in passing yards (4,265), passing touchdowns (49) and total offense (424.6 yards per game) while receiver Arkell Smith leads Division II in receiving yards (1,224) and ranks fifth in receiving touchdowns (14) and running back Marcellous Hawkins is fourth in rushing TDs (17).
  • 2023 marks the 126th season in Mules football history.
  • In the MIAA Football Preseason Polls, UCM was picked seventh in both the preseason coaches' and media polls but finished tied for first.
ZZ ON A ROLL...
  • Mules quarterback Zach Zebrowski has thrown for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in 10 of UCM's 11 games this season. The 300 yards in at least eight games is a new UCM single-season record. He's reached at least 400 yards passing five times, including a UCM and MIAA record 615 yards against No. 23 Emporia State Oct. 21. Zebrowski has also thrown for five TDs seven times this season, including a Central Missouri and MIAA record eight touchdowns vs. Emporia State.
  • He also set a new UCM and MIAA record for total offense in the 77-27 win over Emporia State with 673 yards (615 passing, 58 rushing).
  • Zebrowski has thrown a nation-best and UCM single-season record 49 passing TDs this season and has only been intercepted five times.
  • He also leads NCAA Division II in passing yards (4,265) and total offense (424.4 yards per game) through 11 contests.
  • Zebrowski leads all of NCAA Football (FBS, FCS, II, III) in both passing yards and total offense going into Saturday's NCAA-II Playoff game vs. Henderson State.
ON THE AIR
  • Saturday's game will be broadcast live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler calling the action, Joe Moore providing color commentary and Brinkley Beever on the sidelines.
  • The game will also be webcast online courtesy of the NCAA and HUDL Sports at NCAA.com. It is a pay-to-view webcast.
  • A new NCAA Championships Pass application is available on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Google TV devices. Fans will have two viewing options: $9.95 per contest or $19.95 for all Division II football games through the quarterfinal round.
ZEBROWSKI, LAMBERSON EARN MIAA TOP HONORS; SIXTEEN MULES NAMED ALL-MIAA UCM LEADERS
  • Offense: Through 11 games, the Mules are led offensively by quarterback Zach Zebrowski (359-of-524, 5 INT, 4265 yds., 49 TD, 89 LG, 387.7 yds./game), receivers Arkell Smith (85 rec., 1224 yds., 14 TD, 86 LG, 111.3 yds./game), Jack Pospisil (58 rec., 680 yds., 7 TD, 64 LG, 61.8 yds./game), Demarcus Gregory (46 rec., 493 yds., 5 TD, 42 LG, 44.8 yds/game), Michael Fitzgerald (26 rec., 370 yds., 3 TD, 40 LG, 33.6 yds./game) and Price Morgan (45 rec., 426 yds., 6 TD, 22 LG, 38.7 yds./game), and running back Marcellous Hawkins (148 carries, 1026 yds., 17 TD, 84 LG, 93.3 yds./game).
  • Defense: UCM is paced defensively through 11 games by defensive backs Curtis Appleton II (57 tackles [30 solo, 27 asst], 1 INT, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble recovery) and Wyryor Noil (5.0-12 TFL, 5 INT, 15 pass breakups), and linebackers Cale Miller (63 tackles [24 solo, 39 asst], 8.5-37 TFL, 2.5-23 sacks, 1 INT), Garrett Hormann (49 tackles [21 solo, 28 asst], 3.0-9 TFL, 1.0-6 sacks, 1 INT, 2 QBH) and Isaac Montgomery (53 tackles [20 solo, 33 asst.], 4.5-16 TFL, 1.5-8 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 QBH, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble).
  • Special Teams: After 11 contests, the Central Missouri special teams unit is led by punter Ethan Brown (31 punts, 1212 yards, 39.1 average, 55 long, 4 touchback, 16 fair catches, 12 inside 20, 3 50+) and place-kicker Luke Dobson (5-6 FG, 41 long, 55-55 PAT [new UCM record for consecutive PATs]).
THE MULES IN THE NCAA-II PLAYOFFS
  • Mules football is 3-4 all-time in the NCAA-II Playoffs entering Saturday's game vs. Henderson State. The last time UCM was in the playoffs was in 2019. Central Missouri defeated UIndy in a first-round game in Warrensburg, 37-27, before falling at No. 1-ranked Ferris State in the second round, 37-10, in Big Rapids, Mich.
WEEKLY HONORS NEW FACES
  • The 2023 Mules feature 54 true freshmen and 24 transfers.
  • UCM also has eight new coaches on the sidelines for 2023 in Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach Hayden Hawk, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Justin Bane, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Greg Jones, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Stephen Franklin, Offensive Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Adrian Duncan, Defensive Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Brian "BK" Smith, Offensive Player Personnel/Tight Ends Coach Chace Gadapee and Assistant Special Teams Coordinator/Kickers, Punters and Snappers Coach Terrance Dennis. These
  • Central Missouri's eight new coaches join returning coaches Josh Lamberson (Head Coach), Joe Holtzclaw (Co-Offensive Coordinator Run Game/Offensive Line Coach), Dana Chambers (Defensive Line Coach/Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator) and Kevin Kim (Defensive Player Personnel/Inside Linebackers Coach).
SERIES HISTORY
  • Saturday's NCAA-II First Round Playoff game vs. Henderson State will mark just the third meeting in the all-time series and the first encounter since 1986. UCM is 2-0 in the series against HSU, winning in Warrensburg in 1985, 3-2, before claiming victory in Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1986, 21-14.
LAST TIME OUT: NO. 7 MULES FOOTBALL ROLLS PAST LINCOLN IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE, 63-27
  • No. 7-ranked University of Central Missouri Mules football totaled 745 yards of offense as it rolled past the Lincoln Blue Tigers, 63-27, in the 2023 regular season finale on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
  • UCM quarterback Zach Zebrowski went 28-of-38 for 324 yards and threw for three touchdowns in the victory. The three passing TDs moved him past former UCM Quarterback and Harlon Hill winner Eric Czerniewski for most passing touchdowns in a single season with 49. Czerniewski threw for 46 during his 2010 Harlon Hill season.
  • Running back Marcellous Hawkins rushed for 80 yards on nine carries and had two rushing touchdowns to surpass 1,000 rushing yards for the season. He now stands at 1,026 rushing yards in 2023 while Keyon Butler tallied a game-best 133 rushing yards on 10 carries. Weston Bridges added a pair of rushing TDs, and Christian Davis compiled a rushing touchdown.
  • Wide receiver Arkell Smith tallied 100 yards on five catches while Jack Pospisil, Demarcus Gregory, Cedric Case and Grant McAtee all recorded receiving touchdowns in the win.
  • Quarterback Mac Harper tossed one passing touchdown and recorded 51 passing yards, rounding out the UCM scoring.
  • Cooper Crane had five tackles, leading Central Missouri defensively.
  • For the game, UCM outgained Lincoln (0-11), 745-325, including a 375-209 advantage in passing and 370-116 lead in rushing.
THE MULES AT HOME
  • The Mules are 260-187-13 overall and 2023 is their 91st season playing home games at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
  • Under Josh Lamberson, Central Missouri is 9-2 at home.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES
  • Central Missouri has scored in 336 straight games.
  • The streak dates to week three of the 1991 season.
MULES FOOTBALL HISTORY
  • In the 126 seasons of UCM Football the Mules have compiled a 594-534-51 record.
  • The Mules have won 10 or more games five times in the history of the program and have posted 14 seasons of eight or more wins.
  • UCM tied the program-record for wins in a season with 11 in 2019. The Mules also won 11 games in 2010 -- Josh Lamberson's first season as offensive coordinator for UCM.
  • UCM has won or shared 14 MIAA championships in school history with the last coming in 2023.
  • The Mules have qualified for the postseason 11 times in their history, including five trips to the NCAA-II Playoffs, the last coming in 2023.
MULES IN THE PROS
  • Former Mules' All-American tight end Zach Davidson (2016-2020) was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
  • He marked the 12th Mules football player to be drafted in program history and the first since former UCM standout tight end Delanie Walker in 2006.
  • In program history, 78 Central Missouri football players have either been drafted or signed professional free-agent contracts.
UP NEXT
  • If the Mules win, they will advance to face top-seeded Harding in a NCAA-II Playoffs Second Round game Saturday, Nov. 25, in Searcy, Ark.
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Players Mentioned

Curtis Appleton II

#1 Curtis Appleton II

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Joshua Bean

#9 Joshua Bean

DL
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

DB
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
Weston Bridges

#5 Weston Bridges

RB
5' 11"
Redshirt Senior
Ethan Brown

#24 Ethan Brown

P
6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Cedric Case

#10 Cedric Case

QB
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
Gabe Clark

#77 Gabe Clark

OL
6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
Cooper Crane

#16 Cooper Crane

LB
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
Christian Davis

#21 Christian Davis

RB
5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Luke Dobson

#43 Luke Dobson

K
5' 10"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Curtis Appleton II

#1 Curtis Appleton II

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
DB
Joshua Bean

#9 Joshua Bean

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
DL
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
DB
Weston Bridges

#5 Weston Bridges

5' 11"
Redshirt Senior
RB
Ethan Brown

#24 Ethan Brown

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
P
Cedric Case

#10 Cedric Case

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
QB
Gabe Clark

#77 Gabe Clark

6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
OL
Cooper Crane

#16 Cooper Crane

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
LB
Christian Davis

#21 Christian Davis

5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
RB
Luke Dobson

#43 Luke Dobson

5' 10"
Sophomore
K