Shawn Jones is in his tenth season as the radio play-by-play voice of Mules football, basketball and baseball. In addition to his radio and television duties as host of Sportspage, he is UCM's Associate Athletic Director for External Relations in charge of marketing, promotions, media relations, fund-raising events and special events. Greg Hassler is in his ninth season as the sideline reporter and pre and post-game host for Mules broadcasts. He is the Sports Director of flagship stations 1450 KOKO and The Bar 98.5 FM. Joe Moore and Bob Jackson will provide color analysis this season and Moore will also contribute to this column. Jackson has been a part of the UCM broadcast team since 1981 and is UCM's Athletics Promotions Coordinator and Web Manager. Moore is a former Mules football player and UCM Athletic Media Relations Director. He is now an instructor in UCM's Department of Communication.

  by Joe Moore
  Mules Radio Color Analyst
  October 28, 2009
 

Meaningful November Football – Gotta Love It!!

This Saturday at 1:30 p.m. the No. 19 University of Central Missouri Mules (7-2, 5-2 in the MIAA) kick off for the last time in 2009 at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. Their opponent? The Missouri Southern State University Lions.

No I know what you may be thinking: Missouri Southern? Their just 3-5 (3-4 in the MIAA). That’s not going to be much of a game. Think again. Three of their losses have been by eight points or less. Southern did get blown out three weeks ago, 52-6, at Northwest Missouri State. BUT they rebounded admirably, downing Truman 20-16 at home two weeks ago. And then last week, the Lions pulled the upset of the year in the MIAA (perhaps in the nation) by traveling to St. Joseph and defeating the No. 12 Missouri Western Griffons 35-34 on a touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining. Southern brings a balanced offensive attack and a scrappy defense. It’ll be a great game!

What is more, meaningful football is back in Warrensburg in November for the first time since 2002. Sure five of the past six years the Mules have had a chance at postseason play this time of year, but those opportunities depended on the Mules winning and the right teams losing. At times it was more confusing than the “i before e except after c, except in the case of the two form the ‘ay’ sound, and on the third Wednesday on a leap year when the full moon is at its zenith” rule. If the Mules won, and team x lost to team y, and team z and a tied, THEN the Mules would have a chance to get in, but only if …” It was ridiculous.

This year it’s simple. Win at least one of the last two games, and the Mules will go bowling. They would finish no worse than a tie for third and, with their win at Nebraska-Omaha, last Saturday, they hold a tie-breaker over the Mavericks. With at least two playoff spots all but assured, and with two bowl games, it’s a safe bet we’d be in a bowl. Win the final two games (against Missouri Southern and at Northwest Missouri State), and odds are we’d be in the playoff hunt, but we would be, at the very least, bowling.

SO, it’s time to get behind the Mules if you haven’t already done so. If the chance for postseason play doesn’t excite you enough, here are a couple more reasons to attend this Saturday’s home season finale: Saturday is Military Appreciation Day, UCM Faculty and Staff Day and Youth. All active and retired Military personnel and their families will be admitted free with a military I.D. Also, all UCM faculty and staff, and family members, will receive free admission to the game with I.D.

Further, free tickets to the game vs. Missouri Southern are available for area youth groups and sponsors as well. To reserve the tickets, or for more information, contact UCM Athletic Promotions at (660) 543-8194, or by e-mail at jackson@ucmo.edu . Requests for tickets must be made no later than Thursday, Oct. 29th.

It’s time fans. Your Mules are in the hunt. They have given us plenty of reason to dream, and it’s time to bring them home!

"View From The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football season.