CORSICANA, Texas – For the second straight season, University of Central Missouri Mules football will compete in the postseason. The Mules will face the University of Texas Permian Basin out of the Lone Star Conference in the 2024 Heritage Bowl Powered by Riot on Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon at Community Bank & Trust Stadium at Tiger Field in Corsicana, Texas, it was announced Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The Mules concluded the 2024 regular season with an overall record of 8-3 and went 6-3 in the MIAA. UCM ended the regular season on a five-game winning streak, including victories over then No. 1-ranked Pittsburg State and No. 19-ranked Emporia State.

Central Missouri leads NCAA Division II in passing offense (402.5 yards per game) and first downs (322) and ranks second in total offense (534.1 yards per game).

Quarterback Zach Zebrowski, the reigning Harlon Hill Award winner for Division II Football Player of the Year, leads Division II in completions per game (31.9), passing yards per game (401.5), passing yards (4,417), passing touchdowns (38) and total offense (443.5 yards per game).

UCM has six wide receivers who have at least 200 receiving yards on the season in Zach Patterson (1,013 yards), Jack Pospisil (697 yards), Hogan Wasson (550 yards), Derrick Rose (411 yards), Michael Fitzgerald II (281 yards) and C'ing Blanton (261 yards), while running back LaAngelo Bell has rushed for a team-best 509 yards on 116 carries with six touchdowns.

The University of Texas Permian Basin out of Odessa, Texas, posted an overall record of 7-4 and went 6-3 in the Lone Star Conference during the 2024 regular season. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Mules and UTPB on the football field.

Tickets are on sale now at www.HeritageBowl.org.  

More information regarding UCM alumni events planned in Corsicana will be released in the coming days.

The Heritage Bowl Powered by Riot owns the distinction of being the longest continuous running NCAA Division II bowl game in the country.

The game garners attraction from across the country and invites schools from three conferences – the Lone Star (LSC), Great American (GAC), and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).