Congratulations to Mules football coach Willie Fritz. The win Saturday at Emporia State gives him 79 in 10-plus seasons at UCM and makes him the winningest coach in Mules football history. He has established a winning tradition at UCM and he runs a great program. He expects his players to perform on the field, in the classroom and in the community. He can be very tough on them when they need it and very caring when they need it.....here's to at least 79 more!

The 2007 Mules proved their toughness on Saturday in Emporia, Kansas with a solid bounce-back win against ESU. The 38-7 win makes the Mules 2-0 on the road in the MIAA and puts them at 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the rugged MIAA. Now the Mules sit just one game out of first with a huge "opportunity" game Saturday at powerful Northwest Missouri State.

This '07 squad has established its identity. It starts with a defense that motors about the field. Through six games, 10 different Mules have combined for 14 interceptions. Last week, LaVance Dotson picked off his second pass in two weeks, and Karl Parker got into the act. The 12 interceptions the Mules had going into the game vs. ESU led all of NCAA-II. The defense has also been very aggressive. It's fun to watch Kendall Ricketts, John Samia and Steven Ehase line up on the corner and run straight at that opposing QB...it's not much fun for them...

Speaking of Ricketts, enjoy watching him play the rest of 2007. He should be the first three-time All-American in Mules football history. He is one of the best to ever wear the Mules football uniform. He needs 15 tackles to pass Joe Grubb (1989-1992) as UCM's all-time tackles leader. He has 10 career picks and four returned for touchdowns.

Offensively, it starts with Mr. Milner. Glenn Milner was a wishbone fullback last year at Eastern Arizona when Willie Fritz discovered him. Through six games as a feature back in a multiple set, Glenn has 694 rushing yards on 138 carries and 12 touchdown runs. This includes four straight 100 plus yard games running the ball and 12 TD's in four MIAA games!

Big credit to the O-Line. They have only given up five sacks and they just continue to bring the lunch pale every Saturday.

On special teams, Matt Frankel is a weapon on kicks and punts.

Northwest Missouri State is coming off a huge win at Arrowhead over Pittsburg State in overtime. As we left Emporia, we listened to most of the 4th quarter and all of overtime. Wow! What a great college football game.

The Bearcats are back at home and they are just plain good in all three phases. Xavier Omon rushed for 274 yards and 5 TD's vs. Pitt. What a show it will be on Saturday, as Omon and Milner will delight the fans. Omon is the kind of player I love to watch, except when he's playing us. The Mules will not stop him, but he can't run wild either. The Bearcats are playing two QB's. The Mules have gone with Eric Czerniewski, then Stinson Dean, and now Eric. Who will make the throws and decisions on Saturday to make the difference out of this aforementioned group?

The Mules are one-game behind Northwest in the MIAA standings as they head to Maryville Saturday. What a super opportunity! No one in the media will give the Mules a chance on Saturday. They will be underdogs and can play like it.....aggressive, relentless, no holds barred football....just like they like to play.

I don't think they have to play perfect to beat Northwest, not many teams have ever played perfect. I do think they will have to play their best game to date in 2007. Win turnover/takeaway and force the 3rd and five-plus situations.  When get they short field -- score! Mix the pass and run and keep Northwest from packing the box on Milner, and make a big special teams play or two. I wish it was as easy as just typing it, but those are the simple, yet difficult, things the Mules will need to do in order to win.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. in Maryville Saturday. It will be a hostile and fun environment for NCAA-II football. We could use some Cardinal and Black way up north. Hope you can make it to the 'Ville on Saturday. We will have the broadcast beginning at 11:45 a.m. on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 "The Bar" and WarrensburgRadio.com with the Bob Showers Financial Tailgate Show. We will join you on 90.9 "The Bridge" at 12:57 p.m. See you on the radio and Go Mules!