UCM Mules quarterback Zach Zebrowski (12) during an MIAA college football game against the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Bronchos at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg, Missouri on September 9, 2023.

Andrew Mather Photography

Football 9/19/2023 11:35:00 AM

No. 25 Mules Football Heads to Topeka for Saturday Matinee at Washburn

Game 4: No. 25/25 Central Missouri (2-1, 2-1 MIAA) at Washburn (1-2, 0-2 MIAA)
Saturday, Sept. 23 | 1 p.m. | Topeka, Kan. (Yager Stadium)
Radio: 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler, pxp; Brinkley Beever, sideline)
TV: MIAA Network (PPV)

Live Stats | Live Audio | Game Notes (PDF) | AFCA Poll | D2Football.com Poll

SCENE SETTER

No. 25-ranked Central Missouri Mules football (2-1, 2-1 MIAA) will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it travels to Topeka, Kan., for a 1 p.m. MIAA contest at Washburn (1-2, 0-2 MIAA) Saturday, Sept. 23, at Yager Stadium.
The Mules are coming off a narrow 38-37 setback to No. 3-ranked and defending MIAA Champion Pittsburg State Saturday, Sept. 16, in Warrensburg while Washburn is coming off a 24-10 victory at Lincoln in Jefferson City, Mo., that same day.
UCM is back in both the AFCA Division II Coaches and D2Football.com Top-25 polls at No. 25 for the first time since being ranked in the preseason polls in 2021.
Through three games, Central Missouri leads the nation in passing offense with an average of 402.7 yards per game and first downs with 87.
With three games in the books, quarterback Zach Zebrowski leads NCAA Division II in passing yards (1,106), passing touchdowns (13) and total offense (417.7 yards per game) while receiver Arkell Smith ranks second in receiving TDs (5) and eighth in receiving yards (334).
2023 marks the 126th season in Mules football history.
In the MIAA Football Preseason Polls, UCM was picked seventh in both the preseason coaches' and media polls while Washburn was tabbed fourth in both polls.

ON THE AIR

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler calling the action and Brinkley Beever on the sidelines.
The game will also be webcast online through Central Missouri's MIAA Network Internet portal at http://www.themiaanetwork.com/ucmmules. It is a pay-to-view webcast. MIAA Network content is available live via DVR and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event.
All MIAA football games are also available for viewing on The MIAA Network Apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

UCM LEADERS

Offense: Through three games, the Mules are led offensively by quarterback Zach Zebrowski (96-of-146, 1 INT, 1106 yds., 13 TD, 62 LG, 368.7 yds./game), receivers Arkell Smith (26 rec., 334 yds., 5 TD, 60 LG, 111.3 yds./game), Jack Pospisil (12 rec., 165 yds., 2 TD, 62 LG, 55.0 yds./game), Demarcus Gregory (13 rec., 147 yds., 33 LG, 49.0 yds/game) and Michael Fitzgerald (14 rec., 246 yds., 2 TD, 40 LG, 82.0 yds./game) and running back Marcellous Hawkins (44 carries, 133 yds., 4 TD, 24 LG, 44.3 yds./game).
Defense: UCM is paced defensively through three games by defensive backs Curtis Appleton II (16 tackles [10 solo, 6 asst], 1 fumble recovery) and Sharmari Reed (17 tackles [9 solo, 8 asst], 1.0-1 TFL, 1 forced fumble), and linebacker Cale Miller (20 tackles [8 solo, 12 asst], 4.0-16 TFL, 1.0-9 sacks, 1-2 INT)
Special Teams: After three contests, the Central Missouri special teams unit is led by punter Ethan Brown (11 punts, 414 yards, 37.6 average, 51 long, 1 touchback, 5 fair catches, 6 inside 20, 1 50+).

WEEKLY HONORS

MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week: Arkell Smith, WR, Sept. 11

NEW FACES

The 2023 Mules feature 54 true freshmen and 24 transfers.
UCM also has eight new coaches on the sidelines for 2023 in Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach Hayden Hawk, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Justin Bane, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Greg Jones, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Stephen Franklin, Offensive Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Adrian Duncan, Defensive Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Brian "BK" Smith, Offensive Player Personnel/Tight Ends Coach Chace Gadapee and Assistant Special Teams Coordinator/Kickers, Punters and Snappers Coach Terrance Dennis. These
Central Missouri's eight new coaches join returning coaches Josh Lamberson (Head Coach), Joe Holtzclaw (Co-Offensive Coordinator Run Game/Offensive Line Coach), Dana Chambers (Defensive Line Coach/Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator) and Kevin Kim (Defensive Player Personnel/Inside Linebackers Coach).

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday's game in Topeka will be the 52nd meeting in the all-time series with Washburn dating all the way back to 1902. The Mules lead the series, 28-21-2, but have lost the last two meetings with the Ichabods. Last season, UCM fell to Washburn in Warrensburg, 40-32. The series is currently tied, 13-13-2, for games played in Topeka. Central Missouri's last victory at Yager Stadium was during the 2017 season, 62-42.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE MULES

Zach Zebrowski threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Fitzgerald had 136 receiving yards and a touchdown, but it wasn't enough, as Central Missouri Mules football fell to the No. 3-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas, 38-37, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
Zebrowski went 31-for-52 for 316 yards and three touchdowns and added a team-best 117 yards rushing on 11 carries while Fitzgerald reeled in seven catches, including a 16-yard touchdown pass, for his 136 yards through the air. Marcellous Hawkins compiled a pair of touchdowns on 10 carries.
Zebrowski's 117 rushing yards are the most for a UCM quarterback since Brook Bolles rushed for 117 yards at Washburn in 2017.
Cale Miller paced the UCM defense, tallying four unassisted and six assisted tackles for 10 total tackles on the day. Wyryor Noil posted an interception while Garrett Hormann and David Olajiga each had quarterback sacks.
The Mules and Gorillas traded scoring throughout the game up until the final drive.
After Pittsburg State gained a 38-31 advantage with a touchdown with 1:48 to go in the fourth quarter, Central Missouri drove down the field and pulled within one, 38-37, when Hawkins dashed into the end-zone on a one yard run with 25 seconds to go. The Mules attempted a two-point conversion to gain the lead but fell just short of converting it, keeping the game at 28-27.
For the game, Pittsburg State outgained UCM, 470 yards to 442 yards, including a 323-316 advantage in passing yards and 147-126 lead in rushing yards.

LAST TIME OUT VS. WASHBURN

A 21-0 outburst in the third quarter doomed Central Missouri Mules football in a 40-32 setback to the 22nd-ranked Washburn Ichabods in the 2022 home opener Thursday, Sept. 8, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
UCM led the game, 24-19, going into halftime before Washburn (2-0, 2-0 MIAA) scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to jump out to a 40-19 advantage – an advantage they maintained the remainder of the game.
Cedric Case threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns and added a team-best 83 yards rushing and a rushing TD, pacing Central Missouri offensively in the game. Case completed 21 of his 37 passes, including a 78-yard touchdown pass to Arkell Smith.
Smith had a team-best 98 receiving yards, going along with his TD, while Malik Clayborn reeled in a 37-yard touchdown feed and collected 49 yards for the game.
Xavier Jackson rushed for 34 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown and added 49 receiving yards on three catches. Avian Thomas tallied 61 yards on a team-best 12 carries.
Noah Blair paced UCM defensively, making a team-best 15 tackles, including eight solo and seven assisted tackles, and two tackles-for-loss for three yards. Blair also had a 31-yard interception.
For the game, UCM outgained Washburn, 481 yards to 445 yards, including a 203-148 edge in rushing. The Ichabods won the battle through the air, compiling a 297-278 advantage in passing yards.
Both UCM and Washburn tallied 19 first downs, but the Mules were just 3-of-14 on third-down conversions while the Ichabods converted seven of 15 third downs.

THE MULES AT HOME

The Mules are 256-187-13 overall and 2023 is their 91st season playing home games at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
Under Josh Lamberson, Central Missouri is 5-2 at home.

SCORING STREAK CONTINUES

Central Missouri has scored in 328 straight games.
The streak dates to week three of the 1991 season.

MULES FOOTBALL HISTORY

In the 126 seasons of UCM Football the Mules have compiled a 586-534-51 record.
The Mules have won 10 or more games four times in the history of the program and have posted 13 seasons of eight or more wins.
UCM tied the program-record for wins in a season with 11 in 2019. The Mules also won 11 games in 2010 -- Josh Lamberson's first season as offensive coordinator for UCM.
UCM has won or shared 13 MIAA championships in school history with the last coming in 2019.
The Mules have qualified for the postseason 10 times in their history, including three trips to the NCAA-II Playoffs, the last coming in 2019.

MULES IN THE PROS

Former Mules' All-American tight end Zach Davidson (2016-2020) was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
He marked the 12th Mules football player to be drafted in program history and the first since former UCM standout tight end Delanie Walker in 2006.
In program history, 78 Central Missouri football players have either been drafted or signed professional free-agent contracts.

UP NEXT

The Mules return home to Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field to host the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in the UCM Black Out Game Saturday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Malik Clayborn: TE; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#0 Xavier Jackson: RB; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior

#1 Curtis Appleton II: DB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#19 Noah Blair: DB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#24 Ethan Brown: P; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#10 Cedric Case: QB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#8 Marcellous Hawkins: RB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#30 Cale Miller: LB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#55 David Olajiga: DL; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#2 Jack Pospisil: WR; 5' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore

#6 Arkell Smith: WR; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#3 Avian Thomas: RB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#8 Malik Clayborn
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: TE

#0 Xavier Jackson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior
: RB

#1 Curtis Appleton II
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: DB

#19 Noah Blair
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: DB

#24 Ethan Brown
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: P

#10 Cedric Case
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#8 Marcellous Hawkins
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: RB

#30 Cale Miller
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: LB

#55 David Olajiga
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: DL

#2 Jack Pospisil
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#6 Arkell Smith
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

#3 Avian Thomas
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: RB