October 11, 2006

It's all about pride for the UCM football Mules! Like every team in the country, the Mules have a goal board where they lay out their objectives before the season begins. These always include goals such as conference titles and post-season appearances. Sitting at 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA, the Mules know those goals are not in the cards for this season. However, there's still plenty to play for.....

For starters, they still have a shot at a ninth straight winning season. The current string of eight straight winning campaigns is the longest in the 109-year history of the program. I'm sure this group of 2006 Mules does not want to be known as the group that ends that streak.

As Joe Moore pointed out on the air Saturday, this group also still has the chance to play the great game of college football for five more weeks this season. There are many fans of the game that never had that chance and there are many former players that would love to have that opportunity once more. Not to mention, with a Homecoming game this Saturday against SBU, a home game against Northwest Missouri on October 28 and a trip to Pitt State still ahead, this team will get to play in front of some good crowds in some big games.

For the 11 seniors, this is it. Football is a hard game to keep playing once organized competition in high school and/or college is over. No more band, cheering crowds and kids coming up asking for autographs. This group of 11 men should let it all hang out the next five weeks so that on November 11 in Pittsburg, Kansas they can walk off the field knowing they played the game the way it was meant to be played.

No doubt it has been a frustrating season to this point. We have high expectations, and that's a good thing. Coach Fritz, his staff and players are working hard every day to get better. He has led this program to unprecedented success with student-athletes who graduate. But keep in mind, these schools we play don't put on the pads and roll out on the field to get beat so we can have a happy Saturday. The MIAA is full of great coaches, great facilities and great fans who support their programs. Here's the good news/bad news: The league is really good and it's only going to get better. That means competitive games every Saturday. If you can win every week in this league, you are going to be one of the best teams in the country. If not, it doesn't make you a bad football team. The Mules have lost two games this year to nationally ranked teams where they had the lead in the second half. This '06 Mules football squad lacks the "big play at the big time" guy. There is no Kegan, Todd or Rod on this team. I don't even have to mention their last names and you know who I am talking about. This is a good group of guys and they aren't going to quit, they are simply missing a game breaking player or two that executes at the right time and strikes fear into the opponents. If it were easy to find those guys, every one would have a couple on their roster. I can promise you that the rest of the UCM opponents are not going to look forward to playing this team. Now is the time to come together as a group and cheer this '06 team on the rest of the way.

The playoff format for NCAA Division II is awesome, except for teams that have high expectations and find themselves out of the picture early. If "the duece" had big TV contracts and lots of bowl games, the Mules would be fighting to the finish to gain admittance into their ninth straight bowl game. Coach Fritz would have to have a giant shelf to hold all of his bowl rings and he would have enough Cotton Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Weed Wacker Bowl swag to fill ten closets. In this league, there are hopefully four spots reserved for the post season. Three in the playoffs and the Mineral Water Bowl. That leaves six MIAA teams out and a couple of those will be very good teams in a very good league. Hey, I'd love to be saying "if we can somehow win four of our next five we can be in Hawaii for the holidays getting set to play another solid D2 program in the Krusty Burger Big Island Bowl!" Can't a guy dream a little?..... Nope....for UCM, the final five weeks are about pride and the love of the game!

Homecoming 2006:

This weekend is a fun one in the 'Burg. It's Homecoming 2006. Friday night at 7:00 PM, there is a reception in the Markey Lobby at Walton Stadium for all former football letterman. It's a great place to swap stories (and improve your stats!!). The 1956 and 1986 MIAA Champion teams will be honored at halftime of the football game and a bunch of those guys will be at that reception. If your in town, swing by and say hello to all the former Mules. It's always great to have those guys in town. The 2006 Fighting Mules football team will be introduced at the Pep Rally at 8:30 PM Friday night at the Multi. The parade begins at 9:30 AM Saturday and runs through downtown Warrensburg. The red shirt freshmen will be riding in the parade representing the program.

As for the game, the Mules host Southwest Baptist at 1:30 PM at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. The Bearcats have been able to rack up big offensive numbers, averaging 407 yards per game. Unfortunately for SBU, their opponents have also racked up big numbers, to the tune of 517 yards per contest. Quarterback Robert Clardy is a dual threat, as he leads the Bearcats in rushing in addition to throwing for 1,123 yards on the year. The Mule defense will have to adjust to a much different style of play from what they saw last week. Offensively, the Mules need to re-establish the run after a tough second half last week. I hope to see you all this weekend in the 'Burg cheering on the Mules!

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