UCM Mules offensive lineman Gabe Clark (77) and wide receiver Jack Pospisil (2) during an MIAA college football game against the Washburn University (WU) Ichabods at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg, Missouri on October 26, 2024.
Andrew Mather | University Photographer

Football

No. 24 Mules Football Welcomes Missouri Southern for Senior Day Saturday

2024 Senior Day
Game 11: No. 24 Central Missouri (7-3, 5-3 MIAA) vs. Missouri Southern (2-8, 1-7 MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 16 | 1 p.m. | Warrensburg, Mo. (Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field)
Radio: 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler, pxp; Joe Moore, color commentary; Ella Bland, sideline)
TV: TheMIAANetwork.com/UCMMULES (PPV) | Buy Tickets

Live Stats | Live Audio | UCM Game Notes (PDF)
SCENE SETTER
  • No. 24-ranked Central Missouri Mules football (7-3, 5-3 MIAA) is scheduled to wrap its 2024 regular season schedule with a home game against the Missouri Southern Lions (2-8, 1-7 MIAA) Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg. Prior to the game, the Mules will honor their 2024 senior class.
  • The Mules are coming off their fourth straight win, defeating then No. 19/20-ranked Emporia State, 45-36, Saturday, Nov. 9, in Emporia, Kan.
  • Through 10 games, UCM leads NCAA Division II in passing offense (385.9 yards/game) and first downs (280) and ranks second in total offense (509.4 yards/game).
  • Individually, quarterback Zach Zebrowski is first in passing yards per game (384.8), passing yards (3,848), passing TDs (34) and total offense (429.1 yards/game), and ranks second in completions per game (30.8/game).
  • The Mules were tabbed the preseason favorite in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches' and Media Preseason Polls. Missouri Southern was picked eighth in both preseason polls.
  • The Mules are back in the top 25 this week, ranking No. 24 in the D2Football.com poll released Nov. 11. UCM is also ranked for the first time this season in the NCAA-II Super Region III rankings, checking in at No. 9. The top seven teams in the final rankings released Sunday, Nov. 17, will advance to the NCAA-II Football Playoffs.
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, Joe Moore providing color commentary and Ella Bland 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 UCM LEADERS AIRING IT OUT
  • Going into Saturday's game, the Mules have six wide receivers who have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Zach Patterson (914 yards, 51 catches, 5 TD), Jack Pospisil (50 catches, 578 yards, 3 TD), Hogan Wasson (500 yards, 40 catches, 2 TD), Derrick Rose (25 catches, 263 yards, 3 TD), Michael Fitzgerald II (254 yards, 19 catches, 2 TD) and C'ing Blanton (201 yards, 19 catches, 2 TD) all have compiled at least 200 receiving yards through UCM's 10 contests.
  • Patterson tallied a UCM single-game record 232 receiving yards on 10 catches in Central Missouri's game at Fort Hays State Oct. 5. His 232 yards through the air bested the previous record of 230 yards set by Jamar Howard at Emporia State in 2011.
PICK SIX FOR THE RECORD BOOKS!
  • Isaac Montgomery tallied a UCM single-game record 100-yard, pick-six in the Mules' 35-30 win at Northwest Missouri State Saturday. His 100-yard interception return for a TD was the fifth in MIAA history and 75th in NCAA Division II Football history.
ADVANCING UP THE CAREER CHARTS
  • Quarterback Zach Zebrowski continues to climb the UCM career records charts. Through 23 career games at UCM, he ranks second in career pass completions (725), touchdown passes (95), passing yards (9,005) and total offense (9,962 yards - 957 rush, 9,005 pass).
SERIES HISTORY
  • Saturday's contest against Missouri Southern will be meeting number 45 in the all-time series going back to 1973. Central Missouri leads the overall series, 26-16-2. Last season, the Mules defeated the Lions in Joplin, Mo., 42-21.
LAST TIME OUT VS. MISSOURI SOUTHERN: NO. 11 MULES RUSH PAST MISSOURI SOUTHERN, 42-21
  • Marcellous Hawkins rushed for 179 yards and had two touchdowns and Zach Zebrowski threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns as the No. 11-ranked University of Central Missouri Mules football team rushed past Missouri Southern, 42-21, on a rainy Saturday afternoon, Oct. 28, 2023, at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
  • Hawkins posted his team-best 179 yards on the ground on 27 carries and recorded rushing TDs of 16 and eight yards while Zebrowski went 31-of-45 for his 233 yards through the air and three touchdowns and also tallied 72 yards rushing on 10 carries.
  • Arkell Smith (60 yards on seven catches) and Demarcus Gregory (60 yards, four catches, one touchdown) rounded out the UCM offensive leaders for the game.
  • Isaac Montgomery had nine tackles, David Olajiga and Diavon Clements each forced fumbles, Wyryor Noil recovered a fumble, and Sharmari Reed compiled an interception, leading Central Missouri defensively.
  • For the game, the Mules outgained the Lions, 487-197, including a 264-103 advantage on the ground and 223-94 advantage in passing.
THE MULES AT HOME
  • The Mules are 264-188-13 overall and 2024 is their 92nd season playing home games at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
  • Under Josh Lamberson, Central Missouri is 13-3 at home.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES
  • Central Missouri has scored in 348 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 602-538-51 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.
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Players Mentioned

David Olajiga

#55 David Olajiga

DL
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Arkell Smith

#6 Arkell Smith

WR
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Diavon Clements

#7 Diavon Clements

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Wyryor Noil

#6 Wyryor Noil

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
Demarcus Gregory

#4 Demarcus Gregory

WR
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

DB
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Michael Fitzgerald II

#9 Michael Fitzgerald II

WR
6' 6"
Redshirt Junior
Marcellous Hawkins

#8 Marcellous Hawkins

RB
5' 11"
Junior
Drew Kaufman

#22 Drew Kaufman

LB
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Isaac Montgomery

#3 Isaac Montgomery

LB
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

David Olajiga

#55 David Olajiga

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
DL
Arkell Smith

#6 Arkell Smith

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Diavon Clements

#7 Diavon Clements

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
DB
Wyryor Noil

#6 Wyryor Noil

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
DB
Demarcus Gregory

#4 Demarcus Gregory

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
WR
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
DB
Michael Fitzgerald II

#9 Michael Fitzgerald II

6' 6"
Redshirt Junior
WR
Marcellous Hawkins

#8 Marcellous Hawkins

5' 11"
Junior
RB
Drew Kaufman

#22 Drew Kaufman

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
LB
Isaac Montgomery

#3 Isaac Montgomery

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
LB