1999 MULES' FOOTBALL FACT SHEET - GAME 11

The Game: CMSU at Northwest Missouri State University, Nov.13 , 1 p.m.; Northwest Missouri's Rickenbrode Stadium (7,500 - natural grass), Maryville, Mo.; final regular-season game for both teams.

The Mules (7-3-0, 5-3-0 MIAA): They beat Missouri Southern State College 47-7 last Saturday in their final home game of the season to extend their winning streak to four straight games. In the process, the Mules set single-season school records for rushing yards (2,194; old record was 2,170 in 1997), points (326; old record was 319 in 1995) and rushing touchdowns (29; old record was 25 in 1997). CMSU has averaged 43.0 points per game in its four-game winning streak. Junior tailback Jason Graham rushed for 166 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns on runs of one and 62 yards. Graham now has rushed for 100 yards or more in six consecutive games, the first time a Mules' player has done that since Elliott Eley did it in seven straight games in 1987. Graham's rushing-yardage total Saturday pushed his season total to 1,209 yards, giving him the third best single-season rushing total in school history. He has 14 rushing touchdowns and needs one more to tie CMSU's record for rushing touchdowns in a season and two more to tie the Mules' record for touchdowns in a season. Graham also maintained his MIAA rushing lead this week with an average of 120.9 yards per game. Kevin Nickerson, the conference career leader in punt returns for touchdowns, had a 65-yard punt return for a TD against the Lions, his second this season and the fourth of his career. CMSU did not have a turnover against Southern, the first game this season in which they have not committed a turnover. Ryan Koob completed six of nine passes for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. For the season, Koob, who has started the last three games, has completed 56.9% of his passes for 421 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Greg Schmidt is the Mules' top receiver with 17 catches for 368 yards and five touchdowns. CMSU is third in the MIAA in scoring offense (32.6 points per game), fourth in rushing offense (219.4 yards per game), sixth in passing offense (95.8 ypg) and eighth in total offense (315.2 ypg). Defensively, the Mules are first in rushing defense (114.2 ypg), second in total defense (256.0 ypg) and scoring defense (17.2 ppg) and fourth in passing defense (141.8 ypg). Linebacker RheQuan Robinson leads CMSU in tackles with 85. Sack leader Colston Weatherington, who has 11, needs four more to break CMSU's season record of 14 set by Milt Sanderman in 1984. A win Saturday would give the Mules back-to-back eight-win seasons for the first time in school history. CMSU is ranked seventh in the Midwest Region this week. The top four teams will advance to the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Bearcats (9-1-0, 8-0-0 MIAA): The defending national champions beat winless University of Missouri-Rolla 34-3 in Rolla last Saturday to clinch at least a tie for their fourth straight MIAA title. The win was the Bearcats' eighth in a row since a 40-17 loss at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the second game of the season. They have won 26 straight MIAA games. Their last league loss was a 40-0 setback at home to Pittsburg State University in the final regular-season game of 1996. Ranked number four in the nation in this week's NCAA Division II poll and second in the Midwest Region, NWMSU is seeking its fourth straight Division II playoff bid. Against UMR, the Bearcats piled up 390 yards in total offense, while limiting the Miners to just 97. David Jansen, the conference's second-leading rusher, gained 98 yards on 19 carries to raise his season rushing total to 1,008 yards, with 15 touchdowns. Travis Miles completed six of 15 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown and Tony Miles caught four for 94 yards with one touchdown. For the season, Travis Miles has completed 52% of his passes for 1,857 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Tony Miles has 39 receptions for 687 yards with seven touchdowns. NWMSU leads the MIAA in scoring offense (38.7 points per game) and total offense (432.9 yards per game), is third in rushing offense (233.4 ypg) and fifth in passing offense (199.5 ypg). The Bearcats are second in rushing defense (141.5 ypg), third in scoring defense (19.5 ppg), sixth in total defense (322.7 ypg) and ninth in pass defense (181.2 ypg).

The Coaches: Willie Fritz is in his third season at Central Missouri with a record of 20-12-0. The Mules were 8-3-0 last season after going 5-6-0 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 12-0-0 and won the junior college national championship each year (1995 & 1996). Fritz is 0-2-0 vs. Northwest Missouri. Mel Tjeerdsma is in his sixth season at Northwest Missouri, with a record of 43-20-3. He is 4-1-0 vs. Central Missouri.

The Series: NWMSU leads 43-32 and there have been two ties. The Bearcats have won the last four meetings. The last win for the Mules in the series was a 34-9 decision in 1994 in Maryville.

Last Year: The Bearcats won 34-20 in Warrensburg. A 340-yard passing performance for Ryan Koob (20 of 32) was not enough to overcome five Mules' turnovers (four fumbles -- at the CMSU 12-yard line, the NWMSU 11, the NWMSU 27 and the NWMSU 20 -- and one interception). Greg Schmidt had a career-best seven catches for 125 yards and three TDs for the Mules. For the Bearcats, Chris Greisen completed 18 of 40 passes for 243 yards. Tony Miles had eight catches for 111 yards, while Derek Lane rushed for 139 yards on 15 carries.

Last Time in Maryville: The Bearcats won 41-9 in 1997. NWMSU rolled up 415 yards in total offense, while holding the Mules to just three field goals and 185 yards in total offense.

Mules' Injuries: Despite some minor injuries in the Missouri Southern game, the Mules are not expected to lose anyone out of the lineup for this Saturday's game.

Mules' Seniors: Ten seniors will be playing their final game for the Mules Saturday: kicker Lee DuBois, running back Dexter Ford, wide receiver Shannon Foster, offensive guard Jason Hennigh, defensive tackle Quincy Jones, center Brian Kietzmann, quarterback Ryan Koob, linebacker RheQuan Robinson, wide receiver Greg Schmidt and free safety Lamont Truitt.

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 12:45 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.