Game 1: RV Central Missouri (0-0) at No. 6 Colorado State University Pueblo (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) | Pueblo, Colo. (CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl)
Radio: 1450 KOKO AM, 92.1 FM, 98.5 The BAR FM (Greg Hassler, pxp; Jim Svoboda, color; Ryan Anderson, sideline)
Live Video (PPV): RMAC Network

Live Stats | Live Audio | UCM Game Notes (PDF)

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SCENE SETTER

• University of Central Missouri Mules Football is slated to open its 2026 season with a week zero game at preseason No. 6-ranked Colorado State University Pueblo on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) in Pueblo, Colo., at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.
• The Mules are coming off a 2025 season that saw them post an overall record of 5-6 and finish tied for fourth in the MIAA with a conference mark of 5-4.
• UCM welcomes back 14 starters in 2026, including 2025 All-MIAA honorees Shawn Martinez (OL), Drew Kaufman (LB), Malachi Howard (DB), and Will Peacock (K). Quarterback Jordan Pachot and three-time All-MIAA wide receiver Jack Pospisil also return to Central Missouri this season after suffering season-ending injuries early last season.
• The Mules return the bulk of an offense that led the MIAA in scoring (32.3 points per game), first downs (291), total offense (464.3 yards per game), passing offense (321.5 passing yards per game), and third-down conversions (48.6 percent) in 2025.
• 2026 will be the 130th season in the history of Mules Football. UCM has played football every year since 1895, except for 1918 due to World War I.
• Central Missouri was voted fourth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Media Poll and fifth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• UCM received seven votes in the 2026 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Preseason Poll.

ON THE AIR

• Thursday's game will be broadcast live on "Your Country" 98.5 The BAR, "Good Time Oldies" 1450 KOKO, 92.1 FM, and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler calling the action, former Mules Football Head Coach Jim Svoboda providing color commentary, and Ryan Anderson on the sidelines.
• A pay-per-view webcast of the game will also be available via the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Network. Please visit UCMAthletics.com for a direct link to the webcast.

TOP RETURNERS FOR THE MULES IN 2026 (NOTE: 2025 FINAL STATS LISTED)

• Passing: Jordan Pachot (QB): 44 completions, 71 attempts, 0 interceptions, 561 yards, 4 passing TDs, 66 long, 280.5 passing yards per game
• Rushing: Tank Young (RB): 28 attempts, 94 yards, 31.3 rushing yards per game, 1 rushing TD
• Receiving: Jake Weber (WR): 33 receptions, 493 receiving yards, 44.8 yards per game, 2 receiving TDs
• Tackles: Drew Kaufman (LB): 71 tackles (35 assisted, 36 solo)
• Tackles-for-Loss: Drew Kaufman (LB): 7.5 TFL for 25 yards
• Sacks: Kyan Franklin (DL): 2.5 sacks for 14 yards
• Takeaways: Malachi Howard (DB): 1 interception, 12 pass breakups

NEW FACES

• Mules Football welcomes 57 new student-athletes to their roster in 2026, including 33 high school freshmen and 24 transfers.
• In addition, UCM has five new coaches for the 2026 season. New coaches include: Brandon Clayton (Defensive Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs), Cody Fayette (Tight Ends), Isaiah Wilson (Running Backs), Austin Alewel (Kickers, Punters, Long Snapper), and Garrett Hormann (Assistant Defensive Line Coach).

SERIES HISTORY

• Thursday's season opener at CSU Pueblo will mark just the third meeting in the all-time series. The series is tied, 1-1, after the Thunderwolves defeated the Mules in Warrensburg last season, 29-24. UCM defeated CSU Pueblo in Pueblo, Colo., back in 1983 when CSU Pueblo was Southern Colorado, winning 34-9.

LAST TIME OUT: MULES FOOTBALL CAPS 2025 SEASON WITH 38-24 VICTORY AT NEBRASKA KEARNEY SATURDAY

• The University of Central Missouri Mules Football team capped its 2025 season with a 38-24 win over the Nebraska Kearney Lopers on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 15, at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.
• The Mules (5-6, 5-4 MIAA) jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. Donovyn Omolo found a wide-open Jake Weber for a 79-yard touchdown pass at the 6:53 mark before Keyon Butler sprinted into the end zone from eight yards out with five seconds to go in the quarter for UCM's opening 14 points.
• Central Missouri increased its lead to 21-3 early in the second quarter when Omolo connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Morgan Pearson and went up 24-3 at the half after Will Peacock made a 34-yard field goal.
• The Mules continued their offensive surge in the third quarter, building their advantage to 31-6 on a 14-yard touchdown reception from Omolo to Marlon Lindsey, Jr., with just over eight minutes to go on the clock.
• Nebraska Kearney (6-5, 4-5 MIAA) trimmed the lead to 31-13 after an interception return for a touchdown, but UCM answered, pushing the advantage to 38-13 when LaAngelo Bell scampered into the end zone for a one-yard rushing touchdown with 1:18 remaining.
• The Lopers trimmed the Central Missouri lead to 38-24 with a touchdown and field goal early in the fourth quarter, but the Mules' Isaac Montgomery came up with a key interception at the 5:57 mark, getting the football back and ending the UNK threat.
• Omolo went 27-of-40 for 394 yards with three passing touchdowns, while Weber had 106 receiving yards on three catches with a touchdown, pacing UCM offensively.
• Lindsey Jr., Pearson, Butler, and Bell each tallied touchdowns, respectively.
• Drew Kaufman, Talon Sanders, and Kyan Franklin each had five tackles, while Montgomery compiled an interception, leading Central Missouri defensively.
• For the game, the Mules outgained the Lopers, 476 yards to 339 yards, including a 394-285 passing yards advantage and 82-54 rushing yards advantage. UCM also bested UNK in first downs, 22-17, and time of postseason, 35:25 to 24:35.
• Daron Bryden went 18-of-36 for 251 yards and a touchdown, leading Nebraska Kearney.

THE MULES AT HOME

• The Mules are 266-192-13 overall, and 2026 will be their 94th season playing home games at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
• Under Josh Lamberson, Central Missouri is 15-7 at home.

SCORING STREAK CONTINUES

• Central Missouri has scored in 361 straight games, a MIAA record.
• The streak dates to week three of the 1991 season.

MULES FOOTBALL HISTORY

• In the 130 seasons of UCM Football, the Mules have compiled a 609-544-51 record. Central Missouri has fielded a football team every year since 1895, except for 1918, when World War I occurred.
• The Mules have won 10 or more games six times in the history of the program and have posted 15 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 13 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, 80 Central Missouri football players have either been drafted or signed professional free-agent contracts.

UP NEXT

• Central Missouri is scheduled to host the Missouri Western State University Griffons for its 2026 home and MIAA opener at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. The contest is also the annual University of Central Missouri Get the Red Out Game.