by Greg Hassler
Central Football Sideline Reporter
October 29, 2008
It was a heart-wrenching loss this past Saturday as the Mules fell
to Nebraska-Omaha 38-33 on Homecoming. Fans left the game feeling
empty inside thinking the Mules’ playoff chances were over. I was
one of those disappointed fans. Fortunately I have the opportunity
to cover this team each week, home and away, and I know what they
are made of and how hard they will compete. They will need to
compete the final two weeks because the Mules are in the thick of
things for the playoffs. The Mules no longer control their own
destiny and need some help. Fortunately, the things they need to
happen are very realistic and could easily occur. If things fall
just right for the playoffs, the Mules can win out and look forward
to the Mineral Water Bowl on December the 6 in Excelsior Springs.
Before we make plans for post season we better be ready this
Saturday as Missouri Western comes to town. The Griffons are not
having a great season, but they are very talented. Sophomore
quarterback Drew Newhart has great numbers and can wing the ball all
over the place to a stable of game-breaking wide receivers. And lets
not forget the Griffons own the Mules — they have won the last five
games against the Mules. The Griffon defense struggles against the
run, so look for a steady dose of running back Glenn Milner. Lets
get a win and go to Fort Hayes for a meaningful game.
Several events are planned around the game on Saturday.
It
is Military Appreciation Day and Bring a Kid to the Game Day. All
military personnel (active or retired) and their family members will
receive free admission with military I.D. All kids (ages 14 and
under) receive free admission when accompanied by an adult with a
ticket.
Mule Train donors are invited to the pre-game tailgate in the lot
north of the UCM Physical Plant. The tailgate will open at 11:30
a.m. with food and beverage for Mule Train donors. Guests interested
in tailgating with Mule Train may accompany members cost is $5 each.
The game and tailgate sponsors are Heroes Restaurant and KOKO 1450
and 98.5 The BAR. Non-Mule Train donors wishing to tailgate may
park in the adjacent "Mule Stable" beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the
east end of the lot, north of the UCM Physical Plant.
Central Missouri athletics will open another tailgate lot at the
corner of South Street and Holden Street (Lots 1 and 26). Missouri
Western fans wishing to tailgate are encouraged to use this lot,
which is northeast of Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field and east of the
UCM Physical Plant Building.
Fans are also encouraged to sign up for all of the great promotional
giveaways provided by local businesses at the promotions table,
located by the stairs at the southwest entrance of the stadium.
1450 KOKO, 98.5 "The Bar" and
www.warrensburgradio.com will
begin broadcast coverage at 12:10 p.m. with the Bob Showers
Financial Tailgate Show from the Mule Train lot with Greg Hassler
before sending it to Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field with Shawn Jones
and Joe Moore for the play-by-play action and the post-game show.
Following the Mules-Griffons game, all UCM fans are invited to
Fitters in downtown Warrensburg for the Fitter’s Scoreboard Show.
The show will air on 1450 KOKO and 98.5 "The Bar" following the game
live from the upstairs bar at Fitters and will include interviews
with UCM coaches and scores from NCAA Division II, The MIAA, Big 12,
and more. The Fitter’s Scoreboard Show is not a Mule Train event.
The public is invited to attend.
"View From
The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football
season. |
