JOPLIN, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Football outgained Missouri Southern in rushing yards, 150-97, to help the Mules turn back the Lions, 24-14, in a MIAA football game played on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The Mules (3-1, 2-0 MIAA) are scheduled to return home to Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg to host the Central Oklahoma Bronchos (1-2, 0-1 MIAA) in the annual UCM Military Appreciation Game on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m.
Central Missouri gained a 7-0 lead when running back
DJ Brown powered into the end zone for a three-yard rushing touchdown with 14:52 to go in the second quarter, before linebacker
Marcus Williams intercepted a Missouri Southern pass and returned it into the end zone, doubling the UCM advantage to 14-0 with 6:52 remaining in the second.
The score would remain 14-0 heading into halftime.
The Lions (1-3, 0-2 MIAA) opened the third quarter with a 10-minute drive that ended with a touchdown, trimming the Central Missouri lead to 14-7 with 4:54 to go in the stanza.
UCM fifth-year wide receiver
Jack Pospisil made history at the start of the fourth quarter, snagging his 197th career reception with 12:30 to go on the clock to break former Central Missouri standout wide receiver Arkell Smith's record of 196 set from 2019-2023.
Pospisil's catch helped Central Missouri cap a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard TD run by Brown, his second rushing touchdown of the game, to build Central Missouri's lead to 21-7.
MSSU didn't go quietly, however, and cut the UCM lead to 21-14 with a touchdown with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Central Missouri marched down the field, though, and
Will Peacock converted a 35-yard field goal with just over one minute remaining, sealing the 24-14 triumph for UCM.
Quarterback
Jordan Pachot went 25-of-31 for 215 yards, Brown had 156 rushing yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns,
Jake Weber posted 88 receiving yards on nine catches, and Pospisil had 44 receiving yards on six catches, leading the Mules offensively.
Williams paced Central Missouri on the defensive side of the football, tallying nine tackles and an interception, while
Drew Kaufman added nine tackles.
For the game, the Mules outgained the Lions, 371 yards to 227 yards, including a 150-97 rushing and 215-130 passing advantage. UCM had 23 first downs and won the time-of-possession battle, 32:33 to 27:27.
Â
