CALEDONIA, Mich. – LaAngelo Bell scored the go-ahead touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter and
Noah Blair picked up what proved to be the game-winning interception as No. 11-ranked Central Missouri Mules football defeated the Davenport Panthers, 32-31, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 21, at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
The Mules (2-1, 0-1 MIAA) are scheduled to return home to Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field to face Nebraska Kearney (2-0, 1-0 MIAA) Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. for the annual UCM Family Weekend Game.
Trailing, 31-25, with 6:02 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Mules went on an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped off by Bell's 13-yard scamper into the endzone with 1:02 to go, giving Central Missouri the 32-31 advantage after
Brett Grupe converted the extra-point.
Blair secured the win for UCM, intercepting Davenport quarterback Mike O'Horo's pass, with 42 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Bell ended the game with a team-high three rushing touchdowns on 11 carries and 47 rushing yards while quarterback
Zach Zebrowski went 31-for-47 with one passing touchdown, 349 passing yards, and 65 rushing yards, and
Jack Pospisil tallied 100 receiving yards on nine catches, pacing Central Missouri offensively.
Austin Bressler had six tackles, and Blair compiled the decisive interception, leading UCM defensively.
For the game, the Mules outgained the Panthers (2-1), 502-382, and posted a 153-55 advantage in rushing yards and a 349-327 edge in passing yards. Central Missouri had 33 first downs compared to just 19 for Davenport and won the time-of-possession in the game, 31:02 to 28:58.
O'Horo went 21-for-30 with one interception, 327 yards and three touchdowns, pacing the Panthers.
