Football | 9/1/2026 3:50:00 PM

• University of Central Missouri Mules Football (0-1, 0-0 MIAA) is scheduled to host the Missouri Western State University Griffons (0-1, 0-0 MIAA) for the 2026 home and MIAA opener on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7:05 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg. The contest is also the annual UCM Get the Red Out game.
• The Mules are coming off a 44-25 setback in their season opener at then No. 6-ranked Colorado State University Pueblo on Aug. 27 in Pueblo, Colo.
• 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 is 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.

• 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.
• A pay-per-view webcast of the game will also be available via the MIAA Network at TheMIAANetwork.com/UCMMULES.
• Thursday's contest is also the MIAA Game of the Week and will air live throughout the Kansas City Metro Area on The Spot Kansas City 38.

• Passing: Jordan Pachot (QB): 24 completions out of 46 attempts; 2 interceptions; 52.2 completion percentage; 318 passing yards; 1 touchdown; 51 long; 318 yards per game
• Rushing: DJ Brown (RB): 18 carries; 163 rushing yards; 9.1 yards per carry; 2 touchdowns; 41 long; 163 yards per game
• Receiving: Marlon Lindsey, Jr. (WR): 5 catches; 96 yards; 19.2 yards per catch; 1 touchdown; 51 long; 96 yards per game.
• Tackles: Jalen Thomas (DL): 7 tackles (4 assisted, 3 solo)
• Tackles-for-Loss: Abraham Hoskins III (DB): 2.0 TFL for 11 yards
• Sacks: Abraham Hoskins III (DB), Marcus Williams (DL): 1.0 sacks for 10 yards
• Takeaways: Steven Richardson (DB): 1 interception

• 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).

• Thursday's home opener against the Griffons of Missouri Western State University will mark the 42nd meeting in the all-time series, going back to the first meeting in 1975. The Mules lead the series, 21-19-1. UCM bested MoWest last season in St. Joseph, Mo., 34-26.
• LAST TIME OUT: Mules Football Drops Season Opener at No. 6 CSU Pueblo Thursday
• The No. 6-ranked Colorado State University Pueblo Thunderwolves scored 16 unanswered points to erase an early 7-0 deficit en route to a 44-25 victory over University of Central Missouri Mules Football in the 2026 season opener for both teams on Thursday evening, Aug. 27, at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.
• UCM gained an early 7-0 lead when running back DJ Brown broke free for an 18-yard rushing touchdown less than three minutes into the game.
• The Thunderwolves (1-0) answered in a big way, though, scoring two touchdowns and a safety to take a 16-7 advantage with 7:05 to go in the second quarter.
• A 33-yard field goal from Will Peacock with just over a minute on the clock trimmed the CSU Pueblo lead to 16-10 going into halftime.
• That would be as close as the Mules would get to the Thunderwolves the remainder of the game, as CSU Pueblo outscored Central Missouri in the second half, 28-15, for the 44-25 victory.
• Brown led UCM offensively in the contest, rushing for a game-high 163 yards on 18 attempts with two touchdowns, while quarterback Jordan Pachot was 24-of-46 with one touchdown and 318 yards, but had two interceptions.
• Marlon Lindsey, Jr. (96 yards, five catches, one touchdown), and Trevor Garlington (94 yards, four catches) paced the Mules' wide receivers.
• Steven Richardson (one interception) and Jalen Thomas (seven tackles) lead UCM defensively.
• For the game, the Mules out-gained the Thunderwolves, 485 yards to 445 yards, including a 167-124 advantage in rushing, but CSU Pueblo won the passing game, 321-318, and forced three Central Missouri turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble).
• Nvai Bruzon was 18-of-29 with four passing touchdowns and 321 yards, while Dedrek Taylor-Akins had three receiving touchdowns on nine catches and 200 yards, pacing CSU Pueblo.

• 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.

• Central Missouri has scored in 362 straight games, a MIAA record.
• The streak dates to week three of the 1991 season.

• In the 130 seasons of UCM Football, the Mules have compiled a 609-545-51 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.

• 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.

• The Mules remain at home at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field, hosting Delta State in a non-conference game and the annual UCM Family Weekend contest on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m.