View From The Press Box with Sha

View From The Press Box with Shawn Jones, Greg Hassler & Joe Moore
September 19, 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.

The Mules are off to their first 1-0 start in MIAA play since 2003 after Saturday's solid 27-7 win over Truman St. in Warrensburg. As most of you know by now, the defense was outstanding. Big credit to Co-Defensive Coordinators Chuck Clemens and Gregg Nesbitt for getting guys in a position to succeed and huge kudos to the guys who carried the plan out to perfection. They were on the field for 73 plays and held Truman to an average of 2.2 yards per play. All three levels of the UCM defense played well and kept the momentum while the offense was struggling to get in a rhythm. The good news is that football is a four quarter game and in the final stanza, the offense came alive. Stinson Dean added a spark at QB and Glenn Milner and Jeremy Braden ran with a purpose behind some great blocking by the O-Line. But last Saturday was a day for the defense and they certainly came to play. I also have really enjoyed watching our kick coverage and punt coverage units fly down the field and make plays. The young guns on kick coverage and Bruce Williams and Kendall Ricketts in your face on punt return is quite a sight to see. Don't ever take Matt Frankel for granted....he hit a kickoff 74 yards on Saturday. He is a weapon on kickoffs and punts. As it usually does, the challenge gets greater this week as the Mules travel to Washburn to take on the Ichabods. Both teams are 2-1, 1-0 in the MIAA. The 'Bods have won the last two in the series, after Central Missouri had won eight in a row. Quite honestly, most folks will pick Washburn to win this game because they are at home. For the Mules, it's a chance to prove just how good this 2007 squad might be. If they can go to Topeka and pull off the upset in the minds of many, then all of a sudden your full of confidence heading home to play a good Pitt State team. That's easier said than done though because Washburn is also a very good squad. For the first time this season, the Mules will not face a finesse spread offense. Washburn and QB Jordan Brill can certainly throw it, but they will also line up behind a veteran O-line and run it right at you with RB Ra’Shawn Mosley, who must be in his 11th year in the MIAA. We have been calling his name for years and he is an excellent back with power and lots of big game experience. If the Mules defense can slow down Washburn, I will be the first to say this is a great UCM defense. I think Saturday will be the huge test for the "D"....no more basketball on grass coming at 'em. Both teams boast an excellent secondary with a combined 12 interceptions between the two. Beware QB's...... Both teams have solid special teams....beware return men because both teams bring the lumber down field. Both teams have big bruising backs......wrap up and hang on defenders! Games like this are fun to debate all week long. Should be a lot of fun and if you can make in to Topeka, Yaegar Stadium at the Moore Bowl is another excellent setting for NCAA Division II football, like most places in the MIAA. If you can't be there, tune into 1450 KOKO and 98.5 "The Bar" or www.warrensburgradio.com beginning at 11:45 a.m. for the Bob Showers Financial Tailgate Show. We'll join you on 90.9 "The Bridge" at 12:57 p.m. for the 1:00 p.m. game. Bob Jackson, Greg Hassler and I will have the call for you and we will see you on the radio!
"View From The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football season.