1999 MULES' FOOTBALL FACT SHEET - GAME 3

The Game: CMSU at Emporia State University, Sept.18, 7 p.m.; Emporia State's Welch Stadium (7,000 - natural grass), Emporia, Kan.; opening MIAA game for both teams.

The Mules (2-0-0): They had an open date last Saturday after beating Winona State University 30-24 on Sept. 4. The Mules have averaged 274 yards on the ground in their first two games. Senior Dexter Ford leads the team in rushing with 184 yards and four touchdowns in just 15 carries. Junior Jason Graham, who had his first 100-yard game against Winona State with 101, has 171 yards and two touchdowns in 30 carries, while junior Kevin Jones has 110 yards and two touchdowns in 24 carries. Junior John Holmes went all the way at quarterback against Winona State. For the season, he's completed 12 of 26 for 165 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. Kevin Nickerson, who already has a punt return for a touchdown this season, is the Mules' top receiver with four catches for 31 yards. CMSU's defense has allowed an average of just 169.0 yards in total offense in two games, producing nine turnovers (five interceptions, four fumbles) and nine sacks. Senior safety Lamont Truitt and senior linebacker RheQuan Robinson share the team lead in tackles with 10 each. Truitt and sophomore linebacker Andy Sims each has two interceptions and junior defensive end Colston Weatherington is the Mules' sack leader with four.

The Hornets (1-1-0): After winning their season opener 21-14 at Fort Hays State University, they lost their home opener to sixth-ranked University of Central Oklahoma 28-25 last Saturday. The Hornets had a 17-13 lead in the third quarter, but UCO used two third quarter scoring drives to take the lead. Senior quarterback Joe Jacobs, a transfer from Saginaw Valley State University, accounted for 260 of the Hornets' 301 yards in total offense. He rushed for 88 yards in 20 carries and completed 15 of 29 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Lester McCoy had seven receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Jacobs leads the team in rushing with 122 yards in 29 carries. He's completed 30 of 55 passes for 410 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception. McCoy has caught 14 for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Linebacker Gerard Clemons is ESU's leading tackler with 20.

The Coaches: Willie Fritz is in his third season at CMSU with a record of 15-9. The Mules were 8-3 last season after going 5-6 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 0-2 vs. Emporia State. Mules' offensive coordinator Dave Bassore was an assistant on the ESU staff in 1992 and 1993. Jerry Kill is in his first season at Emporia State after posting a 38-14 record in five seasons at Saginaw Valley. Prior to going to Saginaw Valley, Kill was an assistant coach at Pittsburg State University from 1985-87 and from 1990-93.

The Series: The Mules lead the series 26-15 and there have been four ties. The Hornets have won the last three meetings. The two teams have split their eight MIAA meetings since Emporia State began league play in 1991.

Last Year: The Hornets won 56-24 to spoil the Mules' Homecoming game. ESU All-American Brian Shay became college football's all-time leading rusher with a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 213 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries. The Hornets' 56 points were the most the Mules had allowed in a game since 1989.

Last Time at Emporia: The Hornets won 50-10 in 1997 in a game played in a steady downpour. The Mules held a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, then saw ESU score 50 unanswered points.

Mules' Injuries: The Mules did not have any serious injuries in the Winona State game. Tailback Dexter Ford sat out the second half because of some tightness in his thigh, but is expected to play at Emporia State.

Mules on Radio: KLRQ-FM (96.1) in Clinton will broadcast the game live with Bob Jackson and Chris Shaeffer calling the game. Air time will be 6:45 p.m. The broadcast also will be available on the TEAMLINE telephone service by calling (800) 846-4700, then entering 3946 and following the instructions for credit card billing. KLRQ also will have the broadcast available on its Web site at http://www.klrq.com.

Next Game: The Mules entertain Pittsburg State Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. It will be Parents/Family Day at CMSU. Emporia State plays at Missouri Southern State College Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the first Metro Sports TV game of the MIAA season.