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The University of
Central Missouri (UCM) vs. Minnesota State football game had been
anticipated for most of the summer, so what's another two hours and
four minutes for a lightning delay? UCM made it worth the wait for
the Mule fans who waited out the storm. The Mules received the
opening kickoff and rolled down the field.
Junior quarterback
Eric Czerniewski led the new look offense on its most impressive
drive of the game. He was a perfect seven for seven passing.
Czerniewski capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to senior
wide receiver Edgar Givens. Givens led the Mules with six catches,
94 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mule offense
continued to put points on the board as UCM took a 20-6 into
halftime. I thought the key to the offensive success was the ability
to find the tight ends downfield. Sophomore DeMarco Cosby caught
three passes for 89 yards and redshirt freshman Garrett Smith added
one catch for 35 yards.
After halftime, the
Mules added a safety when a snap sailed over the Minnesota State
punter’s head. UCM put the game away when Czerniewski found Givens
again with three minutes and 55 seconds left to go in the game. That
was all the scoring the Mules would need to secure a 29-9 victory.
Czerniewski
completed 21 of 32 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and one
interception. Glenn Milner registered 49 yards on 20 rushing
attempts. He also caught four passes for 37 yards. The UCM defense
also did its part in the win. The Mules bent but never broke,
holding Minnesota State to just three field goals for the game. The
Mule defense put a lot of pressure on Minnesota State quarterback
Ryan Fick, sacking him three times and hurrying him three other
times.
The Mule run
defense held Minnesota State to 111 yards on the ground. Adrian
Singletary seemed to be all over the field leading the Mules with 10
tackles. Layne Kreter and Mike Stevenson added sacks.
I thought the Mules
short yardage and goal line defense was the key to the game
defensively. The Mavericks had three opportunities in the red zone,
but every time the Mule defense rose to the occasion and held MSU to
field goals. UCM also held the Mavericks to two for seven on fourth
down. I thought the Mules played a solid game against Minnesota
State. Now, the challenge for Mules is to continue to improve and
iron out the mistakes that were made. I believe a tougher challenge
awaits the Mules Thursday night when Arkansas Tech comes to
Warrensburg.
Scouting
Arkansas Tech
The Wonder Boys
went 5-5 last year under 12th year Head Coach and Athletic Director
Steve Mullins. ATU returns eight starters on offense, five on
defense and two specialists. The Wonder Boys will feature a Spread
Offense and an 8-man front defense.
Arkansas Tech
defeated Northeastern State 22-3 in their season opener. The ATU
offense is led by senior Cole Barthel. He was 29 of 46 for 249 yards
and one touchdown and three interceptions against Northeastern
State.
Senior Tracey
Stiger is the leading returning receiver for the Wonder Boys with 61
receptions. He caught nine balls for 92 yards against Northeastern
State. Junior Tim Childress leads the Tech rushing attack with 48
yards on eight carries against Northeastern State. On defense, the
Wonder Boys are led by sophomore defensive back Tario Dansby who
registered 7.5 tackles, 2.5 loss and one interception against
Northeastern State. Junior defensive back DeAuntra Rideau also
registered 7.5 tackles and one interception. Junior Matt Kitchens is
ATU’s leading returning tackler with 68.
I ask Mule fans not to overlook this Arkansas Tech squad. Even
though they may have only been a 500 team last year, the Wonder Boys
gave eventual National Champion Valdosta State all they wanted.
Valdosta State had to score two fourth quarter touchdowns to eke out
a 28-27 win.
Keys to the Game
I think there will
be three keys to defeating Arkansas Tech. The first is the Mule
defense must do a good job in coverage. Arkansas Tech likes to throw
the ball all around the yard. The defensive line needs to get
pressure on the quarterback. Offensively, the Mules need to
establish the running game. Lastly, the Mule Special Forces need to
be solid in kick coverage to not allow the Arkansas Tech offense
such good starting field position.
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by David Rohrbach
