MulesCentral - View From The Press Box

Previous Editions: August 30, 2006 September 6, 2006 September 13, 2006 September 20, 2006 September 27, 2006	October 4, 2006 October 11, 2006 October 18, 2006	View From The Press Box with Shawn Jones, Greg Hassler & Joe Moore October 25, 2006
Shawn Jones is in his seventh 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 CMSU'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 sixth 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 CMSU broadcast team since 1981 and is CMSU's Athletic Promotions Coordinator and Web Manager. Moore is a former Mules football player and CMSU Athletic Media Relations Director. He is now an instructor in Central Missouri's Department of Communication.

The season has not gone as planned for the UCM Football Mules. A season full of hope and promise has turned into a season full of injuries and mistakes made at crucial times. Just look back at last week’s game against Missouri Southern. The Mules are better than the Lions, but when you turn the ball over four times and the other team scores 17 points off those turnovers, you are not going to beat many teams. I don’t care how good you think you are. The Mules are 2-4 in the MIAA, and the toughest part of their schedule begins this Saturday at Walton Stadium Kennedy Field when the Mules host the number-two ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. In case you haven’t heard, the Bearcats are really, really, really good. Their defense is scary good, allowing only 11.9 points per game through 8 games--that is just amazing. The Bearcat defense also leads the league in takeaways at plus-nine. Offensively the Bearcats are solid, especially with running back Xavier Omon. He is second in the conference in rushing with 102 yards per game and 16 touchdowns on the season. He's a very good running back. The Mules are a talented, well coached team that can beat any team in the MIAA, but the Mules are mistake prone. For the Mules to have a chance Saturday afternoon they will need to play a perfect game. Toby Korrodi will need to have another fantastic day, the Mules’ receivers will have to hold on to the ball, and the running game will need to click. If all those things fall into place, the Mules will have a chance on Saturday to pull off the upset. With three weeks left in the season the Mules are playing the role of spoiler. Lets see if that begins this Saturday. Head out to the stadium this Saturday and cheer for your Mules. Kickoff is set for 1:30.
Greg Hassler is a regular contributor to MulesCentral.com. "View From The Press Box" is published every Wednesday.

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