Mules topple Lincoln, 78-0

            The Central Missouri State Mules walked all over Lincoln University in the 2006 season opener on Saturday with a 78-0 shutout at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. The win marked the third consecutive shutout and 17th consecutive win over the Blue Tigers.
            The Mules stalled on their first drive of the game, but that would be the last time they were forced to punt on the day. Toby Korrodi threw four touchdowns and completed 13-of-18 passes in the first stanza before sitting down the rest of the game.
            Sophomore wideout Brooks Faddis caught three passes on the second drive capped by a seven yard touchdown to open the Mules scoring effort. On the Mules next possession, Jeremy Braden broke loose for a 35 yard touchdown scamper and the rout was on. Korrodi threw a touchdown to tight end Ted Maxwell and two to Matt Jacobsen before the break. Freshman wide receiver Seth Mason came up big on special teams with a blocked punt that he recovered in the endzone. CMSU rolled to a 42-0 halftime lead. It had 295 yards of offense while the stifling defense held the Blue Tigers to just eight yards in the half.
            The tandem of freshmen running backs Justin Gore and Chris Jackson each scored a couple times in the second half while sophomore kicker Spencer Webb started the year perfect with two field goals (34 and 22 yards) and 10 extra points on the game.
            The Mules out-gained the Blue Tigers 496-to-74 and didn’t allow them to get past the 50-yard line until the final drive of the game.
            Braden had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career with 102 on only eight carries. 10 different receivers caught a pass for CMSU as well. The defense was led by linebacker Adrian Singletary with six solo tackles, two for loss, and a sack. In all, the Mules had 12 tackles for loss.
            Central Missouri finished with 279 yards on the ground and 217 through the air. In the second half, the Mules ran the ball 22 times while only attempting seven passes.
             The win was head coach Willie Fritz’ ninth consecutive in a season opener.