CORSICANA, Texas – Zach Zebrowski posted a one-yard rushing touchdown and then threw a two-point conversion pass to
Derrick Rose to lift the No. 20-ranked Central Missouri Mules football team to a thrilling 39-37, double overtimes win over the University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons in the 2024 Heritage Bowl Powered by Riot on a wet Saturday, Dec. 7, at Community National Bank & Trust Stadium.
With the win, the Mules finish their 2024 season with an overall record of 9-3, marking the sixth nine-win season in program history. Combined with last season's mark of 11-2, UCM has now won 20 games in back-to-back seasons for just the second time in Mules football history.Â
Zebrowski, a redshirt senior from Woodbury, Minn., was named the Heritage Bowl Most Outstanding Player after going 20-for-47 with two passing touchdowns and 262 yards through the air while posting a career-high 138 rushing yards on 29 carries and three rushing touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winner.
Central Missouri wide receiver
Derrick Rose had a pair of touchdowns receptions on six catches and recorded 129 receiving yards, while running back
LaAngelo Bell rushed for 38 yards on nine carries, and receiver
Hogan Wasson added 66 receiving yards on five catches.
Defensively for UCM,
Austin Bressler posted a team-best six tackles,
Reyjon Williams added five tackles including two tackles-for-loss for four yards, and
Jevean Brown recorded five tackles, leading the Central Missouri defense.
Trailing 28-21 with 6:46 to go in the fourth quarter, Zebrowski led a 14-play, 94-yard drive capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rose with 35 seconds remaining, tying the game, 28-28, and sending the contest into overtime.
Both teams traded field goals in the first overtime, with
Brett Grupe converting a 28-yard attempt for the Mules and UTPB's Angel Diaz connecting from 43 yards, sending the contest into a second extra frame.
The Falcons scored on their first possession in double overtime but couldn't convert the two-point conversion, giving UCM the ball trailing 37-31, and setting up Zebrowski's game-winning touchdown.
For the game, the Mules outgained the Falcons (7-5), 438 yards to 431 yards, including a 176-94 advantage in rushing yards. UTPB bested UCM in passing yards, 337-262, but Central Missouri posted a 29-24 advantage in first downs.
Zebrowski, the 2023 Harlon Hill trophy winner and a finalist for the 2024 Harlon Hill, ends his illustrious career as a Mule ranking second in career pass completions (789), touchdown passes (101), passing yards (9,881) and total offense (11,013 -- 1,132 rush, 9,881 pass).
Texas Permian Basin's Isaac Mooring went 27-for-51 with two touchdown passes and 337 yards, while Jeremiah Cooley tallied 125 receiving yards on 15 catches, leading the Falcons.
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