Josh Lamberson
Andrew Mather | University Photographer

Football

No. 12 Mules Football Continues MIAA Play with Road Game at Fort Hays State Saturday

Game 5: No. 12 Central Missouri (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (3-2, 1-2 MIAA)
Saturday, Oct. 5 | 7 p.m. | Hays, Kan. (Lewis Field Stadium)
Radio: 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler, pxp; Ryan Anderson, sideline)
TV: TheMIAANetwork.com/UCMMULES (PPV) 

Live Stats | Live Audio | UCM Game Notes (PDF)
SCENE SETTER
  • No. 12-ranked Central Missouri Mules football (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) travels to Fort Hays State (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) for a MIAA contest Saturday night, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. Lewis Field Stadium in Hays, Kan.
  • The Mules are coming off a thrilling 36-35 victory over Nebraska Kearney Saturday, Sept. 28, in the annual UCM Family Weekend game at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg.
  • Through four games, UCM leads NCAA Division II in passing offense (456.5 yards/game), ranks third in total offense (566.3 yards/game) and seventh in scoring offense (42.8 points per game).
  • Individually, quarterback Zach Zebrowski is first in passing yards per game (453.8), passing yards (1,815), passing TDs (18) and total offense (487.8 yards/game), and ranks second in completions per game (35.3 completions/game).
  • In UCM's 36-35 win over Nebraska Kearney, Zebrowski broke his own UCM single-game record for pass completions and attempts, going 45-for-69.
  • The Mules were tabbed the preseason favorite in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches' and Media Preseason Polls. Fort Hays State was picked fifth in both preseason polls.
  • UCM is ranked No. 12 in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches' and No. 13 in the D2Football.com Polls released Monday, Sept. 30.
ON THE AIR
  • Saturday's game will be broadcast live on 1450 KOKO, "Your Country" 98.5 The BAR and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler calling the action and Ryan Anderson on the sidelines.
  • The game will also be webcast online through Central Missouri's MIAA Network Internet portal at TheMIAANetwork.com/UCMMULES. It is a pay-to-view webcast. MIAA Network content is available live via DVR and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event.
  • All MIAA football games are also available for viewing on The MIAA Network Apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.
WEEKLY HONORS
  • MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week: Sept. 9, Sept. 30, QB, Zach Zebrowski
  • MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week: Sept. 23, DB, Noah Blair
ZEBROWSKI VOTED MIAA OFFENSIVE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON
  • For the second time this season, Central Missouri Mules football redshirt senior quarterback Zach Zebrowski has been voted the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week, it was announced Monday, Sept. 30, by the conference office.
  • Zebrowski went 45-for-69 with 526 passing yards and five touchdown passes and compiled 35 rushing yards on nine carries in UCM's thrilling 36-35 win over Nebraska Kearney Saturday, Sept. 28, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg.
  • Zebrowski threw touchdown passes of five, 20, 65, six and 10 yards in the victory. His 10-yard pass to Michael Fitzgerald II with 5:49 to go in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning TD for Central Missouri.
  • With his 526 passing yards, Zebrowski moved into fourth place in career passing yards at UCM, upping his total to 6,972 yards.
UCM LEADERS PREVIEWING 2024
  • Entering the season, Central Missouri welcomes back 20 letterwinners, including 15 starters. 2023 Harlon Hill Award winner and consensus All-American quarterback Zach Zebrowski returns in addition to All-American offensive lineman Gabe Clark. Zebrowski and Clark are among 10 total student-athletes who earned All-MIAA accolades last season that return to UCM in 2024.
  • Other returning All-MIAA selections include running back Marcellous Hawkins, wide receiver Jack Pospisil, offensive linemen Liam Wortmann and Reed Kaburick, defensive lineman Weston King and Joshua Bean, linebacker Cale Miller and defensive back Noah Blair.
  • Zebrowski set new NCAA Division II records for passing touchdowns (61), total offensive yards (5,690), points responsible for (380) and TDs responsible for (63 - 61 pass, two rush) in UCM's 13 games last season. He also established new UCM and MIAA records for passing touchdowns (8), passing yards (615 yards) and total offense (673 yards) in a single-game in the Mules' 77-27 win over then No. 23-ranked Emporia State Oct. 21, 2023.
  • The Mules set numerous offensive records in both the MIAA and NCAA-II in 2023 and averaged an NCAA Division II-best 49.4 points per game.
NEW FACES
  • Entering the 2024 season, the Mules roster will feature 37 true freshmen and 30 transfers.
  • The Mules also welcome four new coaches for 2024 in Cornerbacks Coach Jarvis Harrod, Assistant Secondaries Coach and former UCM standout safety Codie Bell, Tight Ends Coach Cole McDowell and Linebackers Coach Zach McCarthy.
  • Returning coaches for this season include 2023 MIAA and AFCA Division II Super Region III Coach of the Year Josh Lamberson, Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach Hayden Hawk, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Justin Bane, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Greg Jones, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Run Game/Offensive Line Coach Joe Holtzclaw, Defensive Line Coach/Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator Dana Chambers, Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Adrian Duncan and Assistant AD for Football Operations/Player Personnel DeMarkco Butler.
SERIES HISTORY
  • Saturday's contest against Fort Hays State will mark the 20th meeting in the all-time series going back to the first meeting in 1964. UCM leads the series, 11-8. Last season, the Mules defeated the Tigers in Warrensburg, 47-28, on Nov. 4.
LAST TIME OUT VS. FORT HAYS STATE: NO. 8 MULES CLINCH SHARE OF 2023 MIAA CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 47-28 WIN OVER FORT HAYS STATE
  • No. 8-ranked University of Central Missouri Mules football clinched at least a share of its 14th MIAA Championship after posting a 47-28 win over the Fort Hays State Tigers Saturday, Nov. 4, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field on Senior Day.
  • UCM's win, coupled with No. 2-ranked Pittsburg State's loss to Missouri Western secured the Mules' first conference crown since 2019.
  • Arkell Smith caught two touchdown passes on 10 catches and tallied 149 yards to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the season. Smith now stands at 1,124 yards in 10 games this season.
  • Zach Zebrowski eclipsed at least 300 yards passing for the ninth game in 2023, going 36-of-52 for 459 yards and tallied five touchdown passes while also rushing for 36 yards on 10 carries and scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown.
  • Curtis Appleton II had 10 tackles, Cale Miller and David Olajiga teamed up to give the Mules a safety, and Noah Blair compiled an interception, pacing Central Missouri defensively.
  • For the game, UCM outgained Fort Hays State (7-3, 6-3 MIAA), 531-360, including a 459-261 advantage in passing yards. Central Missouri also went a perfect 5-of-5 on scoring chances in the red zone.
THE MULES AT HOME
  • The Mules are 263-187-13 overall and 2024 is their 92nd season playing home games at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
  • Under Josh Lamberson, Central Missouri is 12-2 at home.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES
  • Central Missouri has scored in 342 straight games, a MIAA record.
  • The streak dates to week three of the 1991 season.
MULES FOOTBALL HISTORY
  • In the 127 seasons of UCM Football the Mules have compiled a 598-536-51 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 2023. The Mules also won 11 games in 2019 and 2010.
  • 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, 79 Central Missouri football players have either been drafted or signed professional free-agent contracts.
  • For the 2024 season, UCM has two former players in the NFL, as Davidson (Buffalo Bills) and David Olajiga (Los Angeles Rams) are both on practice squads.
UP NEXT
  • The Mules return home to Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field to host Missouri Western for Military Appreciation and UCM Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Curtis Appleton II

#1 Curtis Appleton II

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
David Olajiga

#55 David Olajiga

DL
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Arkell Smith

#6 Arkell Smith

WR
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Joshua Bean

#9 Joshua Bean

DL
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

DB
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Gabe Clark

#77 Gabe Clark

OL
6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
Michael Fitzgerald II

#9 Michael Fitzgerald II

WR
6' 6"
Redshirt Junior
Marcellous Hawkins

#8 Marcellous Hawkins

RB
5' 11"
Junior
Reed Kaburick

#73 Reed Kaburick

OL
6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
Weston King

#95 Weston King

DL
6' 2"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Curtis Appleton II

#1 Curtis Appleton II

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
DB
David Olajiga

#55 David Olajiga

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
DL
Arkell Smith

#6 Arkell Smith

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Joshua Bean

#9 Joshua Bean

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
DL
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
DB
Gabe Clark

#77 Gabe Clark

6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
OL
Michael Fitzgerald II

#9 Michael Fitzgerald II

6' 6"
Redshirt Junior
WR
Marcellous Hawkins

#8 Marcellous Hawkins

5' 11"
Junior
RB
Reed Kaburick

#73 Reed Kaburick

6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
OL
Weston King

#95 Weston King

6' 2"
Senior
DL