Mules Report - Week Two

Congratulations to all the players and coaches for a great start to the season! However, don’t get “overly excited” just yet Mules Fans.

PERSPECTIVE:

The Lincoln Blue Tigers, while a gutsy bunch, were simply not up to the challenge of playing a top-notch NCAA Division II Program like Central Missouri. Never the less, the Mules did everything they were expected to have done in that game. Central routed Lincoln, got all 72 of the players (who made the trip) into the game, and most importantly, they arrived back in Warrensburg injury free.

It’s equally important for us to remember that another rout in Warrensburg this Saturday is still not a gauge for where the Mules are at in regard to their MIAA competition. The Mules will likely be leading all of Division II College football in scoring offense and scoring defense come Sunday morning. While no one should be looking past Dakota State, the first true test for the Mules will be on September 16th when the Washburn Ichabods come to town.

Now, let’s get back to a brief summary of the game in Jefferson City and to what to expect this coming Saturday.

There are a few areas that need some work between week one and week two.

AREAS TO IMPROVE UPON:

Holding on to the ball: Four fumbles in game one and two of them, by RBs Braden and Gore, were lost fumbles. Call it first game jitters, call it rust, call it whatever you want, if anyone is to challenge Will Caldwell, once he is 100%, for any serious playing time in the backfield, it won’t be someone who turns the ball over. To beat the best teams in the MIAA, winning the battle of turnovers is a must!

Protecting the Quarterback: The “union” gave up two sacks; one of Toby Korrodi by the starters and the other of Eric Czerniewski by the backups on the O-Line. Sacks happen, but giving up two to Lincoln is two too many.

Kick returns: While the yards per return for kick returns weren’t atrocious, there were also two kick returns that resulted in fumbles, which were thankfully recovered, and Zero returns for TD. Coach Fritz tried six different return men on the day, four on kick return, where none really stood out, and two on punt return where both only had one opportunity and did well with it. In my write-up at the start of the season, I called this an area where there were some unknowns and in my updated opinion is still an area where there will be competition to see who becomes “the man”. Given Willie’s historical emphasis on special teams play, suffice it to say, Coach Fritz will continue to give a handful of guys an opportunity to stand out here.

Saturday’s results in the return game…

Enough of the gloom and doom; I mean for crying out loud, we did win 78-0!

AREAS THAT LOOKED GOOD:

The kicking game: It appears I may have not given Spencer Webb enough credit in my pre-season write up because he sure seemed out to prove me wrong. He went 10 for 10 on extra points and 2 for 2 on field goals. Congrats to Spencer on solidifying himself at the position and likewise this part of the game for the Mules. I’m sure he’ll give plenty of credit to Mike Spiegel for being perfect with his holds too.

The passing game: Did anyone have any doubts here? Toby shook off a few “jitters” of his own on the first drive, but he threw for a 72% completion percentage and 4 TDs. He also managed to keep from turning the ball over like two of the RBs did, despite having the same “jitters”. The best part of the passing game was TK was able to step away from it and allow some talented freshmen to come in and get some very valuable playing time. Both the present and the future are looking good behind center.

The receiving game: The Mules had 10 separate guys catch a pass in the game and WRs Faddis and Jacobsen carried the load here. I was a little surprised that Chad Ridley didn’t catch a pass in the game, but I expect he’ll get some chances against Dakota State. The real upside of the receiving game was not only that they used a handful of guys at WR, but that the Mules spread the pigskin around from WRs, to TEs, to RBs making this offense one very difficult to prepare for by watching film.

The entire defense: Kudos all around to the Mule D. While no one, expect perhaps a few Blue Tiger fans, expected Lincoln to put many points on the board, the Mule D not only pitched yet another shut out of the team from Jeff City, for the third year in a row, but this time never even allowed Lincoln to cross midfield until the last drive of the game, and that was with the starters lonnnng out of the game. The real sign the defense was working like it should was that the 5 leading tacklers in the game were all LBs. Willie wasn’t misleading anyone when he said this was the strongest core unit on the team and with the secondary and D-Line looking very solid as well, this could be the defense the Mules need to challenge for a title.

Now I told you not to get “overly” excited, but there are some things to be moderately excited about, even after a successful tune up game.

· The receiving game is fine despite the loss of Delanie. · The Mules are almost injury free going into week #2, other than Caldwell’s ankle. · The defense has depth, is fast, and plays like a unit; no more concern at LB.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Toby Korrodi was perfect completing 72% of his passes for 4 TDs and 0 INTs.

Adrian Singletary led the team in tackles with 6, all solo, and 2 of them tackles for loss.

Jeremy Braden rushed for over 100 yards, almost 13 yards per carry, and a TD.

True freshman, Justin Gore, appears to be ready to play at this level, at the tender age of 18, having gained 97 yards and averaging almost 7 yards per carry.

MY PERSONAL QUESTION MARKS:

· I’m not sold on the running game yet, without Will Caldwell, until I see the other RBs against some better defenses.

· The “Union” must protect the QB better before the Ichabods come to town.

· The verdict is also still out on the return game.

WRAPPING IT UP:

Okay Mules fans, expect more of the same this Saturday in Warrensburg, as the Mule D tries to take a scoreless season into the Washburn game. While Willie did send a coach up north to scout out Dakota State, there are still a lot of questions as to what they’ll throw at the Mules. Like I’ve said before, the Mules could be leading the nation in many offensive and defensive statistics, but statistics don’t win football games. So don’t start any serious smack-talking just yet. The smack (and national rankings) can begin on 17 September when the full wrath of the Fighting Mules is unleashed!

Meet ya’ll on the High Ground…
 

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