by Dave Kopp
Special to MulesCentral.com

Dallas Bryant blocked an extra point attempt with 1:39 remaining to lift Central Missouri to a 24-23 Homecoming victory over Missouri Southern, Saturday at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. The win is the Mules' seventh straight Homecoming triumph and keeps their slim postseason hopes alive.

Southern put together an 11-play, 88-yard drive to score an apparent tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Alley Broussard capped it with a one-yard run to pull the Lions to within a point.

Bryant then broke through the middle of the line to knock down Brian Malette's kick.

"I almost got the first one in the ball game, I got through there , but I slipped," Bryant explained. "They still had a little gap there and I told the guy next to me, Neil Barnes, 'I'm going to get this one.' I sprinted through the gap like we work in practice, I used technique, went through and I was the lucky one to get it."

"I didn't see everything exactly, but I know we got great push on that play," added Mules head coach Willie Fritz. "It was huge play by Dallas Bryant, a senior for us. A lot of times when guys get scored on in situations, they get their head down and they're not worried about the next play. But he stepped up and got after it and that's a credit to Dallas."

The game was far from over, however.

Missouri Southern attempted an onside kick and appeared to have recovered it. Fortunately for UCM, officials ruled the ball had not traveled the required 10 yards and the Mules took over at the Lions' 24, aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Central Missouri's offense ran four plays, forcing Southern to use its timeouts, but gained only two yards and turned the ball over on downs with 1:11 to play.

Working with no timeouts, the Lions moved 41 yards in eight plays, setting up a 54-yard field goal attempt. Malette hit the ball well, but the strong wind out of the south pushed it wide to the left as time ran out, sealing Central Missouri's victory.

"I thought we deserved a game like this, we've had some tough luck this season," Fritz said. "We're how many plays away from having a lot better record. I told our guys I'd rather be lucky than good sometimes, so we'll take it."

UCM (5-3, 4-2) had taken a 14-0 lead on a pair of short touchdown runs by Glenn Milner. Southern began its comeback with a 12-yard interception return by Jordan Patton.

The Lions tied it just before halftime on a six-yard TD pass from Adam Hinspeter to Isaac Norman. Another interception in the third quarter set up a 28-yard field goal by Malette, putting Southern on top 17-14.

A short punt and an 18-yard return by Anthony Parks put the Mules in position to tie the game on a Marcelo Velazquez 27-yard field goal. Two plays later, the momentum swung back to Central Missouri.

Ryan Nesbitt forced a Broussard fumble. Chris Gilchriest recovered it for the Mules at the MSSU 33.

On second-and-four, Central Missouri lined up in a swinging gate formation. Milner took the direct snap and skirted the left end for his third touchdown of the day, putting UCM ahead 24-17.

"We work on that play every week to make sure we got it right," Milner said. "The offense got it done when we had to today."

Milner rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. Quarterback Eric Czerniewski completed 14-of-25 passed for 134 yards, but was intercepted three times.

Southern (5-3, 3-3) rolled up 324 yards of total offense, 275 of it through the air as Hinspeter completed 28-of-46 passes, but was sacked six times. The Mules' defense, decimated by injuries, made big plays when it had to, recovering three fumbles.

"We played this game with a lot of emotion for our friends that are hurt right now and for the seniors who have been here in the program," said defensive end John Wood, a junior in his first season with the team.

Nesbitt, Jacob Glose and Randy Shepherd combined for 33 tackles. Wood had three sacks, Layne Kreter added two sacks and Bryant also had a sack.

"Jacob didn't even travel with us when we went to Washburn," Fritz said. "Then we get some guys banged up and he gets thrust in there and does a nice job. Ryan has played a lot for us, but in a backup role. Now, he's got to play 60-70 plays and he really stepped up."

Central Missouri is on the road next Saturday, traveling to Bolivar to face Southwest Baptist.

Dave Kopp is a freelance writer/photographer with many years covering Central Athletics.  To reach Dave, visit his website davekopp.net or send an email to kopstr@embarqmail.com