Shawn Jones is in his tenth 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 ninth 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.

  by Greg Gassler
  Mules Radio Sideline Reporter
  November 5, 2009
 

Just a huge win for Mules Football on Saturday over Missouri Southern. The 27 to 17 win over Southern put the Mules record at 8 and 2, 6 and 2 in the MIAA, one of the nine best seasons in the 113 years of Mules Football. With the win on Saturday, the Mules have clinched at least a trip to a bowl game but their sights are set just a bit higher.

Saturday the Mules will travel to Maryville to face the 2009 MIAA Champion Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State, the elite team of the MIAA and one of the top teams in the Nation, a win on Saturday and the Mules will more than likely make the National Playoffs something they have only done once in school history. The Mules recent postseason history is simple – Mineral Water Bowl in 2001 and National Playoffs in 2002.

When the Mules and the Bearcats get together it seems to always be an exciting down to the wire game. In 2005 it came down to a 4th down play which Northwest converted, in 2007 it was a failed 2 pt. conversion by the Mules for the tie and last season it was just a 7 point game. The last time the Mules beat the Bearcats was in 2003 when the Mules rolled 52 to 24.

This is once again a great Northwest team…they are at the top of nearly every category in the league and they have won 35 straight MIAA games, they are the best in the league. For the Mules to win this game on Saturday they will need to run the Football and control the clock, mix in some play action, add in some screens to keep the aggressive Bearcat defense on their heels, this has been the recipe for success for the Mules this season. I love this Mules defense, they bring pressure from different areas and they are very unpredictable with what they are trying to do.

With a win the Mules are going to the playoffs, with a loss they will head to a bowl, either way this has been a fantastic season and with most of this team coming back next season the future is bright for Mules Football.

"View From The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football season.