WC Missouri News

The University of Central Missouri Mules football team will host Emporia State in their annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 25, at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg. Both teams enter the matchup with identical records of 3-4 overall, with UCM holding a 3-2 record in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and Emporia State at 2-3 in conference play.

The game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on local radio stations including "Your Country" 98.5 The BAR FM, "Good Time Oldies" 1450 KOKO AM, and 92.1 FM. Greg Hassler will provide play-by-play commentary, with former head coach Jim Svoboda offering analysis and Joe Moore reporting from the sidelines. Fans can also watch a pay-per-view webcast through The MIAA Network.

Central Missouri is coming off a 37-17 loss to Washburn, where turnovers were a significant issue. The Mules turned the ball over eight times, including six interceptions and two lost fumbles, despite outgaining Washburn 465 to 370 yards.

Through seven games this season, UCM leads the MIAA in total offense with an average of 475.7 yards per game and passing offense at 322.7 yards per game. The team ranks second in scoring at 32.4 points per game, and its total offense is fifth nationally among NCAA Division II teams.

Wide receiver Hogan Wasson is fourth in NCAA-II for both receptions per game (7.83) and receiving yards per game (102.3). Quarterback Donovyn Omolo is fourth in completions per game (25) and sixth in total offense (310.3 yards per game).

Last season, the Mules finished with a 9-3 record, tying for third place in the MIAA and advancing to the postseason for a second consecutive year. They defeated the University of Texas Permian Basin 39-37 in double overtime at the Heritage Bowl Powered by RIOT.

The program has achieved at least 20 wins over two consecutive seasons for only the second time in its history, with an 11-2 record in 2023 and a 9-3 mark last year.

This year marks the 129th season for UCM football, which has fielded a team every year since 1895 except for 1918 due to World War I. Central Missouri was picked to finish fourth in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media Polls released by the conference office.

The Mules have introduced 58 new student-athletes to their roster this season, including 36 freshmen and 22 transfers, as well as seven new coaches: Rich Wright (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line), Neil Novak (Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs), Vince Mayle (Wide Receivers), Jamal Morrow (Running Backs/Offensive Player Personnel), Dylan Graham (Tight Ends/Offensive Player Personnel), JaQuan Jenkins (Assistant Defensive Secondary), and Billy Musgrave (Assistant Defensive Line).

Saturday’s contest will be the 70th meeting between UCM and Emporia State since their first matchup in 1901. Central Missouri leads the all-time series 44-21-4 and won last year’s meeting 45-36.

Key contributors for UCM this season include Latravious Boyd with 328 rushing yards and two touchdowns, Donovyn Omolo with over 1,600 passing yards and seven touchdowns, and Hogan Wasson with 614 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Garrett Hormann leads with 56 tackles, while Michael Harris has recorded five-and-a-half tackles for loss and three sacks.

Central Missouri has a long-standing tradition of success at home, holding a cumulative record of 266-190-13 at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field over 93 seasons. Under head coach Josh Lamberson, the team is 15-5 at home.

The Mules have scored in 357 consecutive games, a record for the MIAA dating back to week three of the 1991 season.

Historically, UCM has won or shared 14 MIAA championships and qualified for postseason play 13 times, including five trips to the NCAA-II Playoffs.

Several former Mules are currently playing professionally: Zach Zebrowski and Arkell Smith are with the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League; David Olajiga is on the New England Patriots’ practice squad; and Zach Davidson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

After Homecoming, Central Missouri will travel to face Fort Hays State on November 1 at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays, Kansas.