1999 MULES' FOOTBALL FACT SHEET - GAME 4

The Game: Pittsburg State University at CMSU, Sept. 25, 2 p.m.; Central Missouri's Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field (10,000 - natural grass), Warrensburg, Mo.; Parents/Family Day at CMSU.

The Mules (2-1, 0-1 MIAA): In a bizarre game that featured four safeties, the Mules lost 41-12 at Emporia State University last Saturday. The first three scores of the game were safeties: one by the Mules and two by the Hornets on bad fourth down snaps out of the end zone. After leading 12-4 at halftime, the Mules endured a nightmarish third quarter in which Emporia State scored 30 points. The Hornets scored on a 100-yard kickoff return, a safety and a 60-yard interception return in the third quarter, in addition to blocking a punt that set up another ESU touchdown. The Mules managed just 89 yards in total offense. Their only touchdown came on a four-yard pass from Ryan Koob to Greg Schmidt. Dexter Ford rushed for 81 yards in 19 carries. In the air, Koob and John Holmes were a combined six of 20 for just 46 yards with two interceptions. RheQuan Robinson led the Mules' defense with 14 tackles. For the season, Ford leads the Mules in rushing with 265 yards in 34 carries. Kevin Nickerson is the Mules' top receiver with six catches for 53 yards.

The Gorillas (2-1, 0-1 MIAA): For only the second time since 1984, the Gorillas lost a regular season home game, falling 27-21 to defending national champion Northwest Missouri State University last Saturday. After building a 21-7 halftime lead, the Gorillas were blanked in the second half and saw the Bearcats score 20 unanswered points. PSU turned the ball over five times on fumbles. Despite the loss, the Gorillas had two 100-yard rushers in the game. Anthony Chatmon rushed for 119 yards in 14 carries and quarterback Lateef Walker rushed for 109 yards in 23 carries. Free safety Andrew Poling led PSU's defensive effort with 16 tackles. For the season, Walker is the team's leading rusher with 362 yards in 53 caries. Chatmon has gained 307 yards in 33 carries and Jesse Owen has added 229 yards in 42 carries. Michael Brown is the Gorillas' top pass receiver with five catches for 150 yards.

The Coaches: Willie Fritz is in his third season at CMSU with a record of 15-10. The Mules were 8-3 last season after going 5-6 in 1997. Fritz came to Central Missouri 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 and won the junior college national championship each year (1995 &1996). Fritz is 0-2 vs. Pittsburg State, his alma mater. Fritz played for the Gorillas from 1978 to 1981 as a defensive back and also was a student assistant coach in 1982. Mules' offensive coordinator Dave Bassore was a graduate assistant on the Pittsburg State staff in 1980. Chuck Broyles is in his 10th season at Pittsburg State with a record of 95-17-2. Broyles is 9-0 vs. Central Missouri.

The Series: The Gorillas lead the series 30-4 and there have been two ties. PSU has won all 10 meetings since beginning MIAA competition in 1989 and have won the last 17 meetings overall. The Mules' last win in the series was a 27-26 decision in 1959 in Pittsburg.

Last Year: The Gorillas used a 26-point second half to beat the Mules 32-14 in Pittsburg. The Mules had entered the game 6-0 and with their highest ever national ranking (10th). PSU's Anthony Chatmon rushed for 156 yards in 17 carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. The Mules' scores came on two long touchdown passes from Ryan Koob, one of 75 yards to Greg Schmidt and one of 70 yards to Kevin Nickerson.

Last Time in Warrensburg: The Gorillas won 30-29 in overtime to spoil the Mules' 1997 Homecoming game. The Gorillas drove 63 yards in the final three minutes of regulation to tie the game, then scored in the overtime on a halfback-option pass from Alex Wendler to Jerry Ross. After scoring their touchdown in the overtime session, the Mules went for the win with a two-point conversion attempt that failed.

Mules' Injuries: The Mules did not have any serious injuries in the Emporia State game.

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 1:45 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 play at Washburn University on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. in the second Metro Sports TV game of the MIAA season. Pittsburg State plays at home Oct. 2 against Missouri Western State College in a 2 p.m. game.