View From The Press Box with Sha

View From The Press Box with Shawn Jones, Greg Hassler & Joe Moore
September 12, 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 98.5 MIKE-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 Athletic Promotions Coordinator and Web Manager. Moore is a former Mules football player and UCM Athletic Media Relations Director. He is now an instructor in Central Missouri's Department of Communication.

It’s conference time for the MIAA, and there are some great games on tap for this weekend. One of the best games will be right here in the ‘Burg as the 2-0 Truman State Bulldogs roll into Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field to face the 1-1 fighting UCM Football Mules. Both teams are coming off wins…the Mules had a convincing 56-24 win last Saturday over NSIC Concordia-St. Paul. I think we saw a lot of great things from this team. Running back Glenn Milner, who ran for 77 yards, will only get better as he adjusts to Division II play. Sophomore quarterback Eric Czerniewski was efficient and managed the game well, going 11 of 26 for 141 yards and a couple of touchdowns. He seems to know the offense, and has made some good decisions in his first two games. The Mules are probably as deep at quarterback as they have ever been with back-up Stinson Dean, the transfer from Wyoming. He played in the fourth quarter and was 5 of 6 for 59 yards and a couple of touchdowns. The Bulldogs are coming off a 55-31 pasting of Upper Iowa. This Bulldog team is young, but they are for real. Junior QB Matt Ticich set a new MIAA record on 20 of 43, passing for 493 yards. This Truman team has only four seniors, but don’t let that fool you -- they are a veteran group ready to make a run at the playoffs. After interviewing Truman Head Coach Shannon Currier and visiting with one of their assistant athletic directors, I can say with certainty that they have a very confident air about this game. The match-ups are simple. Will the Mules defense be able to stop the high flying Bulldogs? It will have to start up front -- we must get pressure on Ticich. The Mules will also have to run the football effectively. Both Missouri-Rolla, Truman's first opponent, and Upper Iowa ran the football on the Bulldogs. If it’s Milner time for the Mules, then Czerniewski can be effective through the air. If those things happen, you will be looking at a 14-point win for the Mules. Let’s get a big crowd out for the 1:30 kick and start the MIAA off right.
"View From The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football season.