WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Zach Zebrowski threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Fitzgerald had 136 receiving yards and a touchdown, but it wasn't enough, as Central Missouri Mules football fell to the No. 3-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas, 38-37, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.

The Mules (2-1, 2-1 MIAA) are scheduled to travel to Topeka, Kan., for a contest at Washburn (0-2, 0-2 MIAA) Saturday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. from Yager Stadium.

Zebrowski went 31-for-52 for 316 yards and three touchdowns and added a team-best 117 yards rushing on 11 carries while Fitzgerald reeled in seven catches, including a 16-yard touchdown pass, for his 136 yards through the air. Marcellous Hawkins compiled a pair of touchdowns on 10 carries.

Cale Miller paced the UCM defense, tallying four unassisted and six assisted tackles for 10 total tackles on the day. Wyryor Noil posted an interception while Garrett Hormann and David Olajiga each had quarterback sacks.

The Mules and Gorillas (3-0, 3-0 MIAA) traded scoring throughout the game up until the final drive.

After Pittsburg State gained a 38-31 advantage with a touchdown with 1:48 to go in the fourth quarter, Central Missouri drove down the field and pulled within one, 38-37, when Hawkins dashed into the end-zone on a one yard run with 25 seconds to go. The Mules attempted a two-point conversion to gain the lead but fell just short of converting it, keeping the game at 28-27.

For the game, Pittsburg State outgained UCM, 470 yards to 442 yards, including a 323-316 advantage in passing yards and 147-126 lead in rushing yards.

Pitt State quarterback Chad Dodson, Jr., went 20-for-30 with three TD passes and 286 yards and added 29 yards on the ground, pacing the Gorillas offensively.

Jack Barkley had eight tackles, leading the Pittsburg State defense.