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Mules fall late to Mavericks in season opener

John Samia led the Mules effort with a pair of interceptions

The University of Central Missouri Mules failed to take advantage of five turnovers by host Minnesota State-Mankato in the 2007 season opener as they let a second half lead slip through their fingers to fall 23-14.

Central Missouri had a few questions coming into the game as sophomore Eric Czerniewski made his first ever start behind an injury-riddled offensive line. They also had the field conditions to deal with as it had rained every day for the past week at Blakeslee Stadium. The mud made it difficult for the Mules to run the ball, taking away the ability to cut up-field. It became a passing competition, and the experience of MSU quarterback Ben King and the speed of new wide receiver Donte Shackelford showed through.

The game opened up well for the Mules though. After the Mavericks moved it down to the Mules 10 yard line on a 58 yard bomb to Shackelford, UCM senior cornerback Bruce Williams picked off a King pass at the two and took it out to the 17. The Mules went three and out for the second time in as many tries though. John Samia picked off King on the next possession and took it into MSU territory. The Mules would get it into range, but kicker Marcelo Velazquez pushed it right from 35 yards.

It would be the second quarter before the Mules offense could get things going. Czerniewski led the Mules down field for a 62-yard scoring drive, completing passes to running back Glenn Milner, and the brother tandem of wide receivers, Adam and Anthony Parks. He would cap the drive with a four-yard toss to younger brother Adam for the score.

The Mavericks would answer with 4:52 to go in the half on another long pass to Shackelford, this time from 40 yards out. The drive was set up by an interception from Czerniewski by MSU’s Mike Hinton (first of two on the day). The teams would go into the break with the score tied at seven as UCM failed to turn any of its three interceptions into points.

The Mules looked as if they would change their fortunes early in the third quarter when Samia made his second pick of the game and returned it to the MSU 23 yard line. They turned that into a 14-7 lead as Czerniewski connected with Anthony Parks from 17 yards out on third down.

The Mules looked as if they would extend that advantage on their next drive but it stalled on the MSU 29 yard line and they were forced to punt. The Maverick offense came alive on its next possession as they ran the ball four consecutive times before tossing another long pass over the top from 55 yards out to tie the game at 14. It was a nine-play, 95 yard drive that took only three minutes off the clock.

UCM looked as if it would answer on the next possession but a Czerniewski fumble at the MSU 29 gave the ball back to the Mavericks. Minnesota State gave it right back on the next series after moving it all the way to the Mules two yard line on another bomb. It tried a double reverse that was fumbled and then recovered by sophomore defensive end Layne Kreter.

The Mules would gain only one first down on the next three possessions though, leaving the door open for MSU. With 5:30 remaining in the game, the Mavs made their move. Shackelford had catches of 19 and 26 yards before the Mules sacked King and forced MSU into a third and 23 situation at the Mules 40. King completed an 18 yard pass though, and Jason Tompkins drilled a 39 yard field goal to give the Mavericks a 17-14 lead with only 2:26 remaining.

The Mules failed to convert on fourth down on the next series and gave the ball back to MSU with 1:56 on the clock. King hooked up with Shackelford from 15 yards out to put the icing on the cake.

Czerniewski finished the day going 20-of-39 for 187 yards with two TD’s and two INT’s. Milner led the rushing attack with 62 yards on 20 attempts and Anthony Parks paced the receiving crew with five grabs for 73 yards. The Mavericks out-gained the Mules 418 to 267 while King threw for 408 yards. Shackelford finished with 161 yards and two TD’s receiving.<