Late turnovers cost Mules, as they fall 13-10 to Missouri Western

Coming into their game with Missouri Western, the Central Missouri State University Mules knew they had to hold onto the football. And for three quarters, they did just that. But two fumbles in the final 15 minutes cost Central Missouri, as it fell 13-10 to the Griffons.

The Mules (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) carried a 10-0 lead into the intermission. After a scoreless first quarter, CMSU finally got on the scoreboard on a Will Caldwell 25-yard burst up the middle with 8:00 to play in the half. That drive capped a three-play, 34-yard drive that was set up when Missouri Western (4-2, 2-2 MIAA) was forced to punt from its one following a Maurice White sack.

The Griffons went three-and-out on their next possession and were forced to punt from their own 35. It looked like CMSU would get great field position, but MWSU punter Jay White blasted a 64-yarder that rolled dead on the Mules one.

No problem. Junior quarterback Toby Korrodi coolly led Central Missouri on a 15-play drive covering 86 yards and eating eight minutes. When the drive stalled at Western’s 13, freshman Spencer Webb booted a 30-yard field goal into the wind for the halftime lead. Korrodi was 7-of-9 for 65 yards on the drive.

The Griffons closed the gap to 10-3 with a field goal on its first drive of the second half. After the Mules were forced to punt, Western used seven plays to cover 45 yards. From there, Robbie Walling hit a 31-yard field goal.

On its third possession, Western tried some trickery. When a seven-play, 45-yard drive stalled at the Mules’ 12-yard line, Coach Jerry Partridge called for a fake field goal. RoShawn Marshall, though, sniffed out the play while rushing the kick and dropped White (the holder) to thwart the attempt.

Western was forced to punt on its next possession, but the ball bounced up and hit senior wide receiver Delanie Walker. Western recovered, and needed just four plays to cover 36 yards. Jeremiah White got the final 12 yards for the score. With the PAT it was 10-10 with 5:17 remaining.

After watching the Griffons' fake field goal fail, Central Missouri decided to try some chicanery of its own. On second-and-13, Korrodi threw complete to Imani Butler. Butler tried the old hook-and-ladder play, but his pitch to Caldwell was off the mark and Missouri Western’s Siraaj Mohammad recovered at the CMSU 36. The Griffons gained 26 yards on eight plays, with freshman Robbie Walling nailing the 27-yard field goal for the 13-10 lead.

CMSU had a chance. On third and three, Korrodi hit Micah Hefner on a 43-yard catch and run. Western was playing a prevent defense, though, and Brad Kester brought Hefner down at the Western 15 as the clock ran out.

Korrodi finished 23-for-35 for 210 yards and Caldwell had 86 yards on 16 carries. Hefner finished with six receptions for 75 yards.

Sophomore free safety Kendall Ricketts had 15 tackles in the game. Senior cornerback Ricky Armstrong added nine stops and a pass breakup.