UCM Mules wide receiver Jack Pospisil (2) during an MIAA college football game against the Emporia State University (ESU) Hornets at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg, Missouri on October 21, 2023.
Andrew Mather Photography

Football

No. 2 Mules Football Hosts Northeastern State for Get the Red Out to Open 2024 Season

GET THE RED OUT
Game 1: No. 2 Central Missouri (0-0) vs. Northeastern State (0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 7 | 1 p.m. | Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field (Warrensburg, Mo.)
Radio: 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The BAR(Greg Hassler, pxp; Joe Moore, color; Ella Bland, sideline)
TV: MIAA Network (PPV) | Buy Tickets | UCM Football Game Day Info | Get the Red Out

Live Stats | Live Audio | UCM Game Notes (PDF)
SCENE SETTER
  • Preseason No. 2-ranked and the defending MIAA Regular Season Co-Champion Central Missouri Mules football team is scheduled to kick-off its 2024 season with the annual Get the Red Out game Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg.
  • UCM is coming off a 2023 campaign that saw it post a school record-tying 11-2 overall record. The Mules captured the program's 14th MIAA Championship with a 9-1 conference mark and advanced to the second round of the NCAA-II Playoffs, the fifth playoff appearance in program history.
  • Entering the season, Central Missouri welcomes back 20 letterwinners, including 15 starters. 2023 Harlon Hill Award winner and consensus All-American quarterback Zach Zebrowski returns in addition to All-American offensive lineman Gabe Clark. Zebrowski and Clark are among 10 total student-athletes who earned All-MIAA accolades last season that return to UCM in 2024.
  • Other returning All-MIAA selections include running back Marcellous Hawkins, wide receiver Jack Pospisil, offensive linemen Liam Wortmann and Reed Kaburick, defensive lineman Weston King and Joshua Bean, linebacker Cale Miller and defensive back Noah Blair.
  • Zebrowski set new NCAA Division II records for passing touchdowns (61), total offensive yards (5,690), points responsible for (380) and TDs responsible for (63 - 61 pass, two rush) in UCM's 13 games last season. He also established new UCM and MIAA records for passing touchdowns (8), passing yards (615 yards) and total offense (673 yards) in a single-game in the Mules' 77-27 win over then No. 23-ranked Emporia State Oct. 21, 2023.
  • The Mules set numerous offensive records in both the MIAA and NCAA-II in 2023 and averaged an NCAA Division II-best 49.4 points per game.
  • 2024 marks the 127th season of football at the University of Central Missouri.
  • The Mules were tabbed the preseason favorite in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches' and Media Preseason Polls. Northeastern State is playing as an independent in football in 2024.
  • UCM enters the season ranked No. 2 in both the AFCA Division II Coaches' and D2Football.com Preseason Polls. The No. 2 ranking is the highest preseason ranking in program history.
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.
TOP RETURNERS FOR UCM IN 2024 (NOTE: 2023 STATS LISTED)
  • Passing: Zach Zebrowski (QB): 417-for-602, 5157 yards, 61 TDs, 5 INTs, 396.7 yards per game.
  • Rushing: Marcellous Hawkins (RB): 157 carries, 1053 yards, 18 TD, 81 yards per game.
  • Receiving: Jack Pospisil (WR): 71 receptions, 815 yards, 10 TDs, 62.7 yards per game.
  • Tackles: Cale Miller (DB): 77 total, 31 solo, 46 assisted, 5.9 tackles per game.
  • Tackles-for-Loss: Cale Miller (DB): 10.5 total, 44 yards lost
  • Sacks: Weston King (DL): 4.0 sacks, 28 yards lost
  • Takeaways: Noah Blair (DB): 3 INTs, 31 yards; Jaden Dawson (DB): 3 INTs
TRIO OF MULES EARN SPOTS ON D2FOOTBALL.COM ELITE 100 PRESEASON WATCH LIST
  • Three University of Central Missouri football student-athletes earned spots on the 2024 D2Football.com Elite 100 Preseason Watch List.
  • Reigning Harlon Hill Award winner and consensus First Team All-American quarterback Zach Zebrowski and 2023 All-American offensive lineman Gabe Clark earned First Team Offense accolades while 2023 All-Region and All-MIAA running back Marcellous Hawkins secured a spot on the SQUAD Offense team.
  • The D2Football.com Elite 100 Preseason Watch List was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with the input of numerous sitting head coaches as well as professional football scouting veteran Josh Buchanan.
NEW FACES
  • Entering the 2024 season, the Mules roster will feature 37 true freshmen and 30 transfers.
  • The Mules also welcome four new coaches for 2024 in Cornerbacks Coach Jarvis Harrod, Assistant Secondaries Coach and former UCM standout safety Codie Bell, Tight Ends Coach Cole McDowell and Linebackers Coach Zach McCarthy.
  • Returning coaches for this season include 2023 MIAA and AFCA Division II Super Region III Coach of the Year Josh Lamberson, Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach Hayden Hawk, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Justin Bane, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Greg Jones, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Run Game/Offensive Line Coach Joe Holtzclaw, Defensive Line Coach/Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator Dana Chambers, Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Adrian Duncan and Assistant AD for Football Operations/Player Personnel DeMarkco Butler.
SERIES HISTORY
  • Saturday's game against the RiverHawks will mark meeting 18 in the all-time series dating back to the first meeting in 1963. The Mules lead the series, 10-7. Last season, Central Missouri defeated Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla., 63-24.
 LAST TIME OUT VS. NORTHEASTERN STATE: NO. 17 MULES FOOTBALL ROLLS PAST NORTHEASTERN STATE SATURDAY, 63-24
  • No. 17-ranked Central Missouri Mules football rolled to a 63-24 victory over the Northeastern State University RiverHawks Saturday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2023, at Doc Wadley Stadium.
  • Central Missouri quarterback Zach Zebrowski went 26-for-33 with five passing touchdowns and 323 passing yards while rushing for 31 yards including a 22-yard touchdown run.
  • UCM running back Marcellous Hawkins rushed for 89 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns and caught a five-yard TD pass, and wide receiver Arkell Smith tallied 92 yards on six catches. Receivers Jack Pospisil, Demarcus Gregory, and Price Morgan each collected touchdown receptions, while tight end Bo Reeves also snagged a touchdown pass.
  • Azaiah Bello and Wyryor Noil led the Central Missouri defense, with Bello collecting five tackles and Noil posting a 37-yard interception.
  • For the game, the Mules outgained the RiverHawks (1-6, 0-6 MIAA), 638 yards to 293 yards, including a 244-98 advantage in rushing and 394-195 advantage in passing. UCM also posted an impressive 38-11 lead in first downs for the game.
THE MULES AT HOME
  • The Mules are 261-187-13 overall and 2024 is their 92nd season playing home games at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
  • Under Josh Lamberson, Central Missouri is 10-2 at home.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES
  • Central Missouri has scored in 338 straight games, a MIAA record.
  • The streak dates to week three of the 1991 season.
MULES FOOTBALL HISTORY
  • In the 126 seasons of UCM Football the Mules have compiled a 595-535-51 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.
UP NEXT
  • The Mules open their MIAA schedule with a road game at Central Oklahoma Saturday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. in Edmond, Okla.
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Players Mentioned

Azaiah Bello

#2 Azaiah Bello

LB
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
David Olajiga

#55 David Olajiga

DL
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Arkell Smith

#6 Arkell Smith

WR
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Wyryor Noil

#6 Wyryor Noil

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
Demarcus Gregory

#4 Demarcus Gregory

WR
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Joshua Bean

#9 Joshua Bean

DL
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

DB
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Gabe Clark

#77 Gabe Clark

OL
6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
Marcellous Hawkins

#8 Marcellous Hawkins

RB
5' 11"
Junior
Reed Kaburick

#73 Reed Kaburick

OL
6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
Weston King

#95 Weston King

DL
6' 2"
Senior
Cale Miller

#30 Cale Miller

LB
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Azaiah Bello

#2 Azaiah Bello

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
LB
David Olajiga

#55 David Olajiga

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
DL
Arkell Smith

#6 Arkell Smith

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Wyryor Noil

#6 Wyryor Noil

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
DB
Demarcus Gregory

#4 Demarcus Gregory

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
WR
Joshua Bean

#9 Joshua Bean

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
DL
Noah Blair

#19 Noah Blair

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
DB
Gabe Clark

#77 Gabe Clark

6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
OL
Marcellous Hawkins

#8 Marcellous Hawkins

5' 11"
Junior
RB
Reed Kaburick

#73 Reed Kaburick

6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
OL
Weston King

#95 Weston King

6' 2"
Senior
DL
Cale Miller

#30 Cale Miller

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
LB