View From The Press Box
with Shawn Jones, Joe Moore & Greg Hassler

September 10, 2008

VFTPB Archives		 Shawn Jones is in his ninth 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 eighth 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.

  Shawn Jones
  Mules Radio Play-By-Play man



After two impressive non-conference victories, the rugged MIAA season begins this Saturday night for the Mules at Stokes Stadium in Kirksville vs. the Truman State Bulldogs.  With the 29-9 win over Minnesota State and the 49-13 win over Arkansas Tech behind us, it’s clear the Mules will have a chance to be in the mix in 2008.  However, it’s also very clear that the MIAA top-to-bottom is, without question, the toughest conference in NCAA Division II.  So getting off to a good start away from home in league play is very important.

The Mules looked very impressive last Thursday against the Wonder Boys.  Glenn Milner was back to his usual form, and then some.  The Mack Truck tied a school record with five touchdowns.  Eric Czerniewski was very impressive directing the offense and spreading the ball around the field to that very talented group of UCM receivers.  He has six touchdowns to one pick through two games!  The line won the battle up front vs. ATU in a big way and new Mules offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs’ group was perfectly balanced with 249 passing yards and 249 rushing yards.  Defensively, the Mules held in  the red zone, came away with two takeaways and make Tech’s veteran offense look out of sorts all night.  To me, the biggest positive was special teams.  Tyler Nay blocked a big early field goal attempt, Karl Parker set the tone with a big hit and tackle on the opening kickoff the game, Randy Shepherd had a couple of good punt returns, Mark Starks drilled his PAT’s and a 34-yd field goal that Coach Fritz elected to take away simply because he had so much confidence in our offense (great call, obviously)….Jordan Hofer flipped the field with a 64 yard punt early in the game and Damond Berry put the game on ice with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half, the first for a Mule since San Francisco 49ers return man Delanie Walker took one to paydirt in 2005.  Overall, it was one of the very best special teams performances I have ever seen from a Mules program that prides itself in that key area of the game. 

So the Mules are 2-0 against a couple of teams we certainly hope will go on and produce winning records to help the Mules strength of schedule down the road.  Of course, in order for that to be a factor in what is now known as Super Regional Four (MIAA, LSC and eight independents), the Cardinal and Black must have a great MIAA season.  Challenge number one is on the road at Truman State this week.

This will be Truman’s first game on their new synthetic turf after weather delays forced them away from home the first two weeks.  Truman is 1-0 after beating another GSC school Saturday in Liberty, Missouri.  Truman lost their starting running back/receiver Vaness Emokpae to injury, but handled the Southern Arkansas Muleriders (no joke!) 34 to 21.  Head Coach Shannon Currier has done a very nice job bringing winning football back to Truman, and they are getting better every year.  He has a veteran quarterback in two-time All-MIAA selection Matt Ticich that is a dual threat.  Their o-line includes some veterans, as do their receivers and tight ends.  Defensively, I recognize a lot of the names and the same can be said for special teams.  Truman’s defensive line and their linebackers are very good.  This Bulldog team has a lot of experience coming off a winning season in 2007 and they will be sky high to finally be playing at home under the lights and on their beautiful new turf surface.  Very scary game on the road to open league play! 

I am looking forward to seeing this Mules squad on the road in a hostile environment against a quality opponent from the MIAA.  The Mules played great defense and shut down the run last year against the Bulldogs, winning 27-7 in Warrensburg.  However, the last trip to Kirksville was not a pleasant one for the Mules, falling 24-21 because they couldn’t stop the run.  So it’s no big secret that the run game will be a huge factor in this year’s matchup in Kirksville.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Saturday in Kirksville.  Our UCM Sports Network crew (yours truly, Bob Jackson, Greg Hassler and James Sales) will have the call for you beginning at 5:40 p.m. on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 “The Bar” and www.warrensburgradio.com and at kickoff on 90.9 “The Bridge”.  We are looking forward to the trip, as we open MIAA play on the road.  Go Mules and we will talk to your from Kirksville Saturday!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 


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