Central Missouri State University

2000 Mules' Football Fact Sheet - Game 6

The Game: CMSU at Truman State University, Oct. 7, 2 p.m.; Truman's Stokes Stadium (4,000, natural grass), Kirksville, Mo.

The Mules (3-1-0, 2-1-0 MIAA): They beat Washburn University 28-17 Saturday in Warrensburg, overcoming a 10-7 deficit in the third quarter with 21 straight points. The Ichabods committed six turnovers in the game and the Mules converted three of them into touchdowns. Clint Steiner's interception at the WU 46-yard line late in the third quarter set up the scoring drive that put CMSU ahead. Manny Evans rushed for 84 yards and scored on runs of six, one and six yards. Fullback Nick Goos matched his career high in receptions with five for 77 yards. Cable Davis extended his string of at least one touchdown pass in each game to five with a 23-yard scoring toss to fullback Rick Moyer in the fourth quarter. The Mules were out-gained by Washburn 409-237 in total yardage and were held under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season. The six Washburn turnovers enabled CMSU to improve its MIAA-leading turnover margin to +11. Individually, Evans is ranked fourth in the league in rushing this week (86.0 yards per game), while Lee Thompson is sixth (82.4). Davis still leads the conference in passing efficiency and is fourth in passing yards per game (170.4). Receiving leader Marcus Thomas had just one catch for seven yards against Washburn, but still tops the Mules with 17 for 335 yards and ranks sixth in the MIAA. Steiner's career-high 20 tackles against the Ichabods earned him the league's defensive player-of-the-week award and gave him the team lead in tackles with 39. The 20 tackles were the most by a CMSU player in a game since Kenneth Bouie had 20 in a 20-13 win at Missouri Southern State College in 1998. Punter Kenny Zordani averaged 47.2 yards on five punts against Washburn and now leads the conference in punting with an average of 43.8. The Mules are ranked fourth in the MIAA in rushing offense and passing offense. They are ranked eighth in rushing defense and second in passing defense.

The Bulldogs (3-2-0, 2-1-0 MIAA): They lost to top-ranked and defending national champion Northwest Missouri State University 31-20 last Saturday in Kirksville. Truman had a 20-10 lead in the third quarter, only to see the Bearcats scored 21 unanswered points. Northwest Missouri had 577 yards in total offense (234 rushing, 343 passing), while the Bulldogs had 358 (103 rushing, 255 passing). Truman's Eric Howe completed 21 of 44 for 237 yards and a touchdown. For the season, he has thrown for 1,220 yards and ranks second in the MIAA this week in passing yardage (244.0 ypg). He leads the conference in touchdown passes with 14, but also leads the league in interceptions with seven. The Bulldogs' top two receivers are Kevin Collins and Andrew Blakley, each of whom has caught 21 this season to tie for fourth in the conference. Collins caught five for 37 yards and Blakley caught six for 56 yards against the Bearcats. Rushing leader Michael Redding, who is averaging 52.6 yards per game, had just 27 yards against NWMSU. Linebacker Jake Willrich leads Truman in tackles with 34. The Bulldogs are ranked eighth in rushing offense and second in passing offense. They are fourth in the MIAA in rushing defense and seventh in passing defense.

The Coaches: Willie Fritz is in his fourth season at CMSU with a record of 24-14-0. 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 12-0-0 and won the junior-college national championship each year (1995, 1996). Fritz is 1-2-0 vs. the Bulldogs. John Ware is in his sixth season at Truman with a 33-26-0 record. He is 3-2-0 against the Mules.

The Series: Truman leads the series 50-28 and there have been five ties. The Bulldogs have won five of the last six meetings. The Mules' last victory in the series was a 10-7 decision in 1998 in Kirksville. Since 1989, the home team has won only once in this series (Truman 45-10 in 1996). The Bulldogs still have a streak of six straight wins in Warrensburg and CMSU has won four of the last five games in Kirksville.

Last Year: The Bulldogs won 24-13 in Warrensburg in a game televised by Metro Sports cable station of Kansas City, Mo. The Mules had a 13-3 lead in the third quarter, but Truman scored 21 unanswered points to win it. Jason Graham rushed for 167 yards on 39 carries for CMSU. The Bulldogs' Eric Howe completed 14 of 37 for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring passes (31 and 54 yards) were caught by Kevin Collins, who had a total of three catches for 107 yards.

Last Time in Kirksville: The Mules won 10-7 in 1998. All of the scoring came in the first half. Shane Meyer's 22-yard field goal in the second quarter proved to be the margin of victory.

Mules' Injuries: The Mules did not have any serious injuries in the Washburn game. Defensive tackle Brandon Stoker (knee), who was injured against Emporia State University, is probably out for the rest of the season.

Mules on Radio: KLRQ-FM (96.1) in Clinton, Mo., will broadcast the game live with Shawn Jones, Bob Jackson and Greg Hassler calling the action. Air time will be 1:30 p.m. KLRQ will also have the broadcast available on its Web site at http://www.klrq.com. The broadcast will also be available on the TEAMLINE telephone service by calling 1-800-846-4700, then entering 3946 and following the instructions for credit-card billing.

Next Game: The Mules play at the University of Missouri-Rolla Oct. 14 in a 1 p.m. game. Truman plays at Missouri Western State College Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.