WARRENSBURG, Mo. – DJ Brown rushed for a career-best 169 yards with one touchdown, and
Brian Dykstra scored a fumble recovery for a touchdown, helping University of Central Missouri Mules Football to a 31-13 win over the Fort Hays State Tigers on Halloween Saturday afternoon, Oct. 31, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
The Mules (6-3, 5-2 MIAA) are scheduled to travel to Pittsburg, Kan., for a 2 p.m. MIAA contest at Pittsburg State (3-6, 3-4 MIAA) on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Central Missouri and Fort Hays State traded field goals to start the game, with
Will Peacock converting a 24-yard attempt with 11:52 to go in the first quarter, putting UCM in front, 3-0.
After the Tigers answered with a field goal of their own, quarterback
Jordan Pachot connected with wide receiver
Jake Weber on a 58-yard touchdown pass to give the Mules a 10-3 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Central Missouri went into halftime up, 10-6.
Fort Hays State scored a touchdown to open the third quarter to take a 13-10 advantage, but the Mules responded immediately, regaining the lead, 17-13, when Pachot sprinted into the end zone with 8:55 on the clock in the third.
Less than a minute later,
Drew Kaufman forced a Fort Hays State fumble that was recovered by Dykstra, who ran the ball into the end zone for a 27-yard fumble-recovery touchdown, increasing Central Missouri's lead to 24-13.
Brown put an exclamation mark on the game with 14:30 to go in the fourth quarter, posting a 31-yard rushing touchdown, his MIAA-best 13th rushing TD of the season, making it 31-13, Mules.
Brown ended the game with a career-high 169 rushing yards on 21 carries with one touchdown, while Pachot was 22-of-33 for 200 yards with one passing TD, and Weber tallied 83 receiving yards on six catches with a touchdown, leading UCM offensively.
Dykstra posted a fumble recovery TD, as well as an interception and pass breakup;
Marcus Williams had nine tackles; and
Kyan Franklin (12 yards) and
Nick Biskey (six yards) both recorded quarterback sacks, leading the Central Missouri defense.
For the game, UCM outgained Fort Hays State (3-6, 2-5 MIAA), 424 yards to 299 yards, including a 224-157 rushing and 200-142 passing advantage. UCM's 224 rushing yards marked the first time the Mules have compiled more yards on the ground than passing since Central Missouri's win at Missouri Southern during the 2023 season.
FHSU quarterback Major Cantrell was 18-of-33 for 142 yards with a touchdown and an interception, pacing the Tigers.
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