View From The Press Box

View From The Press Box with Shawn Jones, Joe Moore & Greg Hassler
October 31, 2007	VFTPB Archives
Shawn Jones is in his eighth 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 seventh 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.
It's week 10 of the season and we've got ourselves a meaningful college football game Mules fans. I honestly did not think that would be possible as we were leaving Mankato, Minnesota back on August 23rd, but this tough minded team has hung in there after some key injuries and heartbreaking losses to give themselves a shot at the post-season. I don't know if that means playoffs or Mineral Water Bowl, but considering where this team was, has been and is...we'll take it! For any of the post-season scenarios to matter, the Mules must win out and that means victories at Missouri Western and at home over Fort Hays State. The team has done a great job of buying into the "we just want to be 1-0 this week" philosophy. Getting to 1-0 this week will certainly be a challenge as we head to Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph. UCM, Missouri Western, Pittsburg State and Washburn all share second place in the MIAA. After Saturday, only two teams will occupy second as Pitt and Washburn also meet up in Topeka. A Washburn win, and of course a Mule win, would put both teams at 6-2 in the league and UCM has the head-to-head over Washburn. But before we worry too much about buying struttin' Ichabod gear this week and cheer for Washburn, the Mules need to beat a Western team they have lost to four straight times. Those losses have been close, but Western has found a way to win in the fourth quarter and honestly, the Mules have found a way to lose a couple of those as well. The game is always meaningful, and this one is no exception. There are no secrets between these teams. Willie Fritz and Jerry Partridge have a great deal of respect for each other. They recruit in the same areas and many of the players will face high school teammates on the other side of the ball this week. Both teams have a lot of "young guns" that are going to play significant roles for the next couple of years in this rivalry, and it's going to be fun to see them face off for the first time Saturday. No new word on the injury front in the secondary for the Mules. Hopefully Kendall Ricketts and John Samia will both return this week to bolster the defense. Big credit to Jacob Glose, Steven Ehase, Ryan Nesbitt, Randy Shepherd, LaVabce Dotson and the rest of the D-backs for stepping up. Kudos to the defensive line as well. John Wood and crew have been perhaps the biggest key to the Mules having a meaningful game in Week 10. Both teams have very good defensive lines, and solid all-around defensive play. Both teams are excellent in special teams and in the kicking game and both teams can run the ball. I think it's a very even matchup. I also think quarterback play is going to be a huge key. Which young signal-caller plays with the fewest mistakes? The run game is also going to be huge. Can Western RB's La'Darrian Page and Thomas Hodges run against the Mules, who only give up 89 yards per game on the ground? Can Glenn Milner run against Western's very good defense? QB's and RB's are going to be huge keys Saturday. Thank goodness they have artificial surface at Spratt Stadium. We used to lose Greg Hassler on the sidelines in the tall grass meant to slow us down...not this year. This one features everything you want: It's week 10, post-season implications abound and two rivals meet in what always seems to be a great game. I always tell you to tune in...to heck with that, make the short trip to St. Joe and cheer on the Mules!
"View From The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football season.