Mules hold on for 27-24 Homecoming win over Missouri Southern

Not even four fumbles, 11 penalties and countless missed opportunities could stop the Central Missouri State University Mules, as they defeated Missouri Southern State University 27-24 on Homecoming Saturday.

“We did about everything you could do wrong in a football game, and we still won,” head coach Willie Fritz said. “We had some guys step up. I sure as heck would have hated to play this bad and have lost, too. My hat’s off to that team (Missouri Southern). They kept scratching and clawing and hung in there.”

Ironically, CMSU’s Homecoming theme was “Remembering Our Past, Celebrating Our Future.” Ironic because it was a freshman who led the CMSU defense in stopping the Lions’ high-powered offense.

John Samia, making only his second start at strong safety, had 10 tackles (eight solo), five tackles for losses, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Thanks in part to his effort, CMSU held Missouri Southern to -16 yards rushing and 204 yards passing, 81 yards below its season passing average, and almost 200 yards below its season average for total offense.

“What a game,” Fritz said. “He’s a true freshman, and he made some big time football plays.”

The first half ended with Missouri Southern on top 10-7. Delanie Walker fumbled the first two kickoffs of the game, leading to a Shane McBride 40-yard field goal and a 19-yard Adam Hinspeter-to-Dustin Bromley touchdown pass.

When Central Missouri’s offense finally got on the field it converted. Toby Korrodi connected with Ted Maxwell on a 43-yard catch and run to cut the lead to 10-7 with 10:27 left in the first half.

Neither team put points on the board in the second quarter. The Mules had two golden opportunities, though. They got to the two-yard line in the first quarter, but Will Caldwell was met in the backfield and fumbled, and 20-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds of the half was blocked.

The second half started much like the first, only this time it was the Mules turn to cash in on a Lions fumble. On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Hinspeter completed a screen to Colin Bado. But Samia stripped the ball and sophomore safety Kendall Ricketts recovered at the Southern eight.

From there Korrodi needed just three plays to find Matt Jacobsen in the back of the end zone for the go ahead touchdown with 13:53 to go in the half.

Korrodi got his third touchdown pass of the game at the 6:00 mark, connecting with Micah Hefner from 10 yards out.

The Lions used a seven-play, 81-yard drive, Hinspeter hitting Matt Farrell from two-yard out to close the gap to 21-16, Central Missouri, with 3:09 left in the third quarter.

The Mules, though responded just minutes later. Korrodi hit Delanie Walker for a 15-yard touchdown pass and his fourth touchdown pass of the game.

The only scoring of the fourth quarter came when Hinspeter found Bromley for a 17-yard pass, making it 27-24, Mules with 6:17 left.

Missouri Southern had a chance after forcing a CMSU punt. The Lions took possession at the Mules 43 with :57 left. But Samia came through for the Cardinal & Black. On first down, he broke up a pass intended for Colin Bado. On second down, he sacked Hinspeter for a four yard loss. Hinspeter hit Tedaryl Mason for 13 yards to make it fourth-and-1 with just ticks on the clock, but his pass at the horn was batted away by Ricky Armstrong, and the Mules had the win.

Korrodi finished the day 23-for-31 for 266 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He has now thrown 152 pass this year without an interception. His favorite target was Walker, who had six receptions for 91 yards. Caldwell added 91 yards rushing on 24 carries and caught three passes for 25 yards.

Ricketts had nine tackles, recovered a fumble, and broke up a pass. The Mules registered six sacks on the day.