WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Zach Zebrowski threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to
Michael Fitzgerald IIÂ to lift No. 11-ranked Central Missouri Mules football to a thrilling 36-35, comeback victory over the Nebraska Kearney Lopers Saturday afternoon, Sept. 28, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field on UCM Family Weekend.
The Mules (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) are scheduled to travel to Fort Hays State (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) in Hays, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 5, for a 7 p.m. MIAA contest.
After the Lopers' Kendall Brewer intercepted a Zebrowski pass and returned it 89 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 11:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, Central Missouri responded with a 12-play, 65-yard drive capped off by Zebrowski's touchdown pass to Fitzgerald II with 5:49 to go, putting UCM in front for good, 36-35.
Zebrowski ended the game going 45-for-69 with two interceptions, 526 yards and five touchdown passes while adding 35 rushing yards on nine carries. With his 526 passing yards, Zebrowski moved into fourth-place in career passing yards at UCM, upping his total to 6,972 yards.
Zach Patterson and
Jack Pospisil both eclipsed 100 receiving yards in the victory, with Patterson tallying a career-high 195 yards on six catches, including a 65-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, and Pospisil posting 100 yards on 10 catches.
LaAngelo Bell led the Mules on the ground, compiling 71 rushing yards on 17 attempts.
Cristian Dixon (first quarter),
NyNy Davis (second quarter),
Jake Lippe (second quarter) and Fitzgerald II (fourth quarter) all reeled in one receiving touchdown in the game.
Cale Miller had six tackles,
Joshua Bean forced a fumble,
Weston King recovered a fumble, and
Reyjon Williams tallied an interception, leading Central Missouri defensively in the triumph.
For the game, UCM outgained Nebraska Kearney (2-2, 1-2 MIAA), 633-367, including a 526-238 advantage in passing yards. The Lopers bested the Mules in rushing yards, 129-107, but Central Missouri converted 37 first downs while holding UNK to just 14 in the contest. UCM also compiled a 38:55 to 21:05 advantage in time of possession.
Reagan Jones went 14-for-23 with an interception, 238 yards and three touchdowns and compiled 74 rushing yards on eight carries, leading the Lopers.
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