Central Missouri State University

2000 Mules' Football Fact Sheet - Game 1

The Game: Winona State University at Central Missouri State University, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.; CMSU's Audrey J. Walton Stadium/Vernon Kennedy Field (10,000, natural grass), Warrensburg, Mo.; opening game of the season for both teams; game sponsor: KLRQ-FM Radio of Clinton, Mo.

The Mules (7-4-0 in 1999): The Mules open the season minus the personnel responsible for 82% of their rushing yards, 99.5% of their passing yards and 77.4% of their points last season, as well as their top two tacklers. Several newcomers, especially on offense, figure to be the keys to CMSU's success this season. Cable Davis, a transfer from NCAA Division I University of Southern Mississippi, will be the starting quarterback. He played in five games for Southern Mississippi last season and threw touchdown passes against Texas A&M University and the University of Alabama. In the backfield behind him, the Mules plan to unveil red-shirt freshman Lee Thompson at tailback. As a senior two years ago at Liberty (Mo.) High School, he rushed for 1,804 yards (7.8 avg.) and scored 22 touchdowns. Complimenting Thompson in the backfield will be junior-college transfer Manny Evans, who gained 781 yards and averaged 10.3 yards per carry at Moorpark (Calif.) College last season. Another California JuCo product, Marcus Thomas from Sacramento City College, will open at one of the wide receiver positions. Thomas had 15 catches for 235 yards last year. Also figuring into the Mules' passing attack will be wide receiver Lance Stegman, who had 26 catches for 459 yards and eight touchdowns for JC national champion Butler County Community College (Kan.) last season. Among the Mules' returners from a year ago, junior Kevin Nickerson will be at the other wide receiver position. Nickerson has returned four punts and a kickoff for touchdowns in his first two seasons. Newcomer Kenny Zordani, a transfer from Fort Lewis College, is slated to handle the Mules' punting chores. He averaged 40.7 and 41.3 yards per punt the past two seasons at Fort Lewis. Troy Hocker, a transfer from Western Illinois University, sat out last season, but will be the Mules' placekicker. Defensively, the Mules are led by returning All-American Colston Weatherington at defensive end. Named to four All-America teams last season after recording 52 tackles and 12 sacks, Weatherington is listed on numerous preseason All-America lists this season. Seniors Brandon Stoker at tackle and Clint Steiner at free safety are the Mules' top returning tacklers from a year ago with 59 and 58, respectively. The Mules were ranked 13th in the NCAA Division II last season in total defense, allowing 262.1 yards per game.

The Warriors (7-4-0 in 1999): After losing 30-24 to the Mules in their season opener last year, they won seven straight before dropping their final three games of the campaign. The Warriors lost their top rusher, their top three receivers and their top three scorers from last year's squad. Ryan Walch, who was second on the team behind his brother Carson a year ago, is WSU's top returning rusher. He gained 747 yards (6.3 avg.) and scored seven touchdowns. Jamie Kahler returns at quarterback after throwing for 918 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Jeff Dobbertin, who had just 10 catches a year ago, is the top returning receiver. On defense, the Warriors return three of their top four tacklers. Strong safety Travis Welch led the team with 105 tackles, while linebacker Eric Ellestad was third with 66 and end Derek Chance was fourth with 54 to go with a team-high nine sacks.

The Coaches: Willie Fritz is in his fourth season at CMSU with a record of 20-13-0. The Mules were 7-4-0 last season after going 8-3-0 in 1998 and 5-6-0 in 1997. Fritz came to CMSU after four years as head coach at Blinn College (Texas), where he compiled a 39-5-1 record. His last two teams at Blinn each went 12-0 and won the junior college national championship each year (1995, 1996). Mules' assistant coach Dave Bassore was the head coach at Winona State from 1987 through 1989. Tom Sawyer is in his fifth season at Winona State with a 28-16-0 career record.

The Series: The Mules lead the series 1-0.

Last Year: After Winona State scored first, the Mules scored 28 unanswered points in a six-minute span, then stopped four WSU drives in the final period to register a 30-24 win in Warrensburg. Mark Spates had the key defensive play for the Mules, intercepting a Winona State pass at the CMSU 37-yard line with 1:59 left in the game. Ryan Walch rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns in 12 carries for the Warriors, while Jamie Kahler completed five of 14 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Jason Graham led the Mules with 101 yards rushing, while John Holmes completed six of 17 for 118 yards and had three interceptions.

Mules' Injuries: The Mules do not have any serious injuries going into the game.

Halftime Recognition: CMSU co-track and field coach Kip Janvrin, who will be competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, will be recognized at halftime. Janvrin will take part in the decathlon portion of the track and field competition on Sept. 27-28.

Mules on Radio: KLRQ-FM (96.1) in Clinton will broadcast the game live with Shawn Jones, Bob Jackson and Greg Hassler calling the game. Air time will be 6:30 p.m. KLRQ will also have the broadcast available on its Web site at www.klrq.com. The broadcast also will be available on the TEAMLINE telephone service by calling (800) 846-4700, then entering 3946 and following the instructions for credit card billing.

Next Game: The Mules play Quincy University at home Sept. 9 in a 7 p.m. game. Winona State plays at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.