Mules Report October 23

Mules Report
October 23, 2007

Mules Report Archive

THE MULES WIN A CLOSE ONE!

A lot can said about the thrilling homecoming win last Saturday against an ever-improving Missouri Southern team, but the story of the day was Central Missouri winning a close game. Up until last weekend, one would have to search back a ways to recall a time when UCM won a game that ended with less than a touchdown differential.

Is this what Coach Fritz meant by "finishing games"?

Winning brings optimism. Winning brings success on the recruiting trail. Heck, winning just feels good; especially on Homecoming.

Saturday was the 7th straight homecoming victory for the Mules and the win already equals the win total for 2006 with three games to go in 2007.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MISSOURI SOUTHERN WIN

Coach Fritz' 80th win (and counting). Willie was recognized, prior to the start of the homecoming game, for becoming the all-time winningest coach in UCM Football history two weeks prior against Emporia State.
Defensive end John Wood's 3 sacks and subsequent selection as the MIAA Defensive Player of the week. The Mules, as a team, totaled 6 sacks on the day.
Punter Matt Frankel's continued excellence punting the football. Not since former Pittsburg State (now Buffalo Bill) Brian Moorman, has the MIAA had a punter of Frankel's caliber.
Running back Glenn Milner is getting back on track with another 100+ yard outing. That is now five 100+ yard games on the season for the Junior transfer who played last year as a fullback in a wishbone offense.
FS Kendall Rickett's injury. The perennial All-American is just a few tackles shy of setting the career tackles record at UCM and no one knows for sure when and if he will return to finish out his senior season.
And, of course, Missouri Southern Head Coach Bart Tatum's tantrum. Even Lion fans (who themselves coined the term "tantrum" on various message boards), were embarrassed by his outburst. Whether he did it to fire up his team or simply let the emotion of the close game (and frustrating season) get the best of him, throwing anything at an MIAA official is sure to have a lasting effect beyond the 15 yards he was penalized in the game. The penalty could have cost the Lions the game as they ended up missing a 54-yard field goal attempt that could very well have been just a 39-yard attempt without the penalty?

THE UPCOMING GAME AGAINST SBU

Up next for the Mules will be an 0-8 Southwest Baptist team. This game couldn't come at a better time, as the Mules continue to be beat up by the injury bug and will need a reprieve (if such a thing exists in the MIAA) prior to the match-up in St Joe against Missouri Western the following week.

While the timing of the contest with SBU is good for the Mules, don't expect the coaches or players to be looking past the purple Bearcats, as the MIAA is too dangerous a conference to be looking past anyone.

Despite the injuries to the Mules (especially on defense), expect a double digit win this weekend. Southwest Baptist has already committed to leaving the MIAA for football in 2008, but have agreed to continue to play a couple of games each year against MIAA opponents.

SBU's departure will usher in a new addition to the MIAA in North Central Conference power, Nebraska-Omaha. UNO is no stranger to the MIAA or to the Mules. Coach Fritz's first ever MIAA game as head coach was against the Mavericks of UNO. The Mules lost that game, on the road, and avenged themselves the following year by crushing UNO in Warrensburg. UNO is expected to step in the rotation and play the games SBU was scheduled to have played in 2008.

Back to SBU...

Whatever we do, we can't let SBU leave the MIAA the way Missouri-Rolla did in 2004. I expect Willie has that in the back of his mind and plans to ensure the Mules secure their sixth win of the season against the Bearcats; and I don't expect it to be close. There are some eerily striking similarities in the two scenarios, as the Mules were inundated with injuries in the 2004 loss to Missouri-Rolla and possibly looking past the Miners in that contest. Again, I don't expect history to repeat itself this Saturday.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. I've been calling for a kick or punt return for TD all year. I'll bet someone a steak dinner, right now, it comes against SBU! Any takers? It's about time WR/KR Anthony Parks stepped up and showed us what he's got on kick returns and the bearcats are as good as anyone to run wild on.

2. Look for Wood to continue to chalk up more tackles-for-loss and/or sacks. He now has 6.5 sacks on the year.

3. Look for Milner to have his best game ever as a Mule.

4. It's also possible we see a new face behind center should the Mules get up by enough in the 4th quarter. Redshirt freshman Tommy Corwin continues to push starter Eric Cziernewski and backup Stinson Dean in the rotation behind center.

SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to all the loyal fans who showed up at Walton Stadium this past weekend to watch the Mules win a tough contest. I promise those of you who are new to "Fighting Mules Football" that things will only get better as this group moves forward.

Meet you on the High Ground...

Bill Steinke is a writer for MulesCentral.com. His Mules Report is published every Tuesday throughout the season. Bill resides in Knoxville, TN.

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