Central Missouri State University

2000 Mules' Football Fact Sheet - Game 9

The Game: Southwest Baptist University at CMSU, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.; CMSU's Audrey J. Walton Stadium/Vernon Kennedy Field (10,000, natural grass), Warrensburg, Mo.; Youth Day at CMSU.

The Mules (5-3-0, 3-3-0 MIAA): They lost to Missouri Western State College 23-16 in overtime last Saturday in Warrensburg in their Homecoming game. Freshman Pat Wilson hit a 42-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to tie the game and force the overtime. Wilson's field goal came just 28 seconds after Western had scored to take a 16-13 lead and was his third field goal of the game. The Griffons scored on third down in their overtime possession, then sacked Cable Davis on the Mules' final two plays of their possession to clinch the win. CMSU was held to a season-low 71 yards rushing. Each team punted nine times in the game. The Mules were one of 16 on third down conversions, while Western was four of 17. Kevin Nickerson had just one punt return and one kickoff return against the Griffons, but maintained his MIAA lead in both categories. His kickoff return average is 39.4 and his punt return average is 21.8. Davis did not throw a touchdown pass in a game for the first time this season, but did score his first rushing touchdown with a 17-yard run in the third quarter. Linebacker Lloyd Thompson led CMSU's defensive effort with 14 tackles and an interception. Individually in the conference this week, Manny Evans is ranked fifth in rushing (81.6 yards per game), while Lee Thompson, who did not play Saturday, is ranked eighth (71.9). Davis is second in the league in passing efficiency and is fifth in passing yards per game (156.6). Marcus Thomas leads the Mules' receivers with 28 catches for 492 yards, while Nickerson also has 28 for 306 yards. Clint Steiner leads CMSU in tackles on the season with 68, while Colston Weatherington leads the MIAA in sacks with five and a half and in tackles for loss with 19. Wilson leads the league in field goals (9) and field goal percentage (81.8), hitting nine of 11 this season. The Mules are ranked fifth in the conference this week in rushing offense, passing offense, rushing defense and pass defense.

The Bearcats (2-6-0, 1-5-0 MIAA): They beat the University of Missouri-Rolla 35-32 in overtime last Saturday in Bolivar to win their Homecoming game and snap a six-game losing streak. Brandon Starks' 33-yard field goal in overtime put SBU ahead and then the Bearcats' defense stopped the Miners on their possession to win it. SBU trailed 32-14 going into the fourth quarter, but scored 18 points to force the extra period. Palu Lotaki's one-yard touchdown run and Eugene Reed's two-point conversion run tied the game with 1:53 left in regulation and capped a seven-play, 62-yard drive. The Bearcats rushed for 265 yards against UMR, almost 140 yards more than their season average. Lotaki had 91 yards on 21 carries, Deon Boykin had 70 yards on 11 carries and Reed had 57 yards on 12 carries. Chris Lowe completed nine of 16 passes for 112 yards and Michael Hicks had three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. George Butler earned the MIAA defensive-player-of-the-week award for his 12 tackles and a key sack, which came on the Miners' final play in overtime. It caused a fumble which SBU recovered to clinch the win. The Bearcats have thrown for just 975 yards this season, with four touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Lotaki is their leading rusher, averaging 58.6 yards per game. Kenneth Davis is the team's top receiver with 18 catches for 234 yards. Linebacker MaCario Dade leads SBU in tackles with 89. In this week's MIAA statistics, the Bearcats are seventh in passing offense and 10th in rushing offense. They are eighth in rushing defense and 10th in passing defense.

The Coaches: Willie Fritz is in his fourth season at CMSU with a record of 25-16-0. 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 3-0-0 vs. Southwest Baptist. Dennis Roland is in his third season at SBU with a 7-23-0 record. He is 0-2-0 against the Mules.

The Series: The Mules lead the series 11-2-0. The Mules have won the last nine meetings. The Bearcats' last win in the series was a 21-18 decision in 1990 in Warrensburg.

Last Year: The Mules jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to win 49-3 in Bolivar. The Mules threw only eight passes in the game, as they rolled up 246 yards rushing and limited the Bearcats to just 173 yards in total offense.

Last Time in Warrensburg: The Mules won 34-0 in 1998. After a scoreless first quarter, CMSU scored 17 points each in the second and third quarters. The Mules out-gained the Bearcats 375 to 158.

Mules' Injuries: Wide receiver and kick return specialist Kevin Nickerson suffered an injured shoulder against Missouri Western and is considered questionable for Saturday. Running back and kick returner Dan Moon suffered a knee injury Saturday and will likely miss the rest of the season. Running back Lee Thompson did not play Saturday because of a hamstring injury, but he could be available for Saturday. Linebacker Tufue Tua did not play Saturday because of an injured right knee, but may be available for Saturday. Center Matt Gigliotti also did not play Saturday against Missouri Western because of an ankle injury, but could be available Saturday. Defensive tackle Brandon Stoker (knee), who was injured against Emporia State University, is 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 12:30 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 Missouri Southern State College Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. Southwest Baptist plays at Pittsburg State University Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.