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Five Things To Watch:

Five Keys

1 – Who Can Establish The Run

Central Missouri, coming off their best season a year ago at 11-3, and were led by quarterback Eric Czerniewski and his nearly 400 yards per game passing average.

 While Czerniewski is gone, Mules quarterback Tommy Corwin is picking up the slack by leading the MIAA with 318 yards per game through the air.

 Truman’s J.B. Clark is fourth in the conference passing yards per game at 227.3.

Both Truman and Central are the bottom two teams in the league in rushing offense.

The Mules are 10th with a 68.7 average while the Bulldogs are 19 yards per game better at 87.7 through three games.

2 – Keep The Clock Moving

Due to the fact that both teams have been throwing the ball, both are at the bottom of the league in time of possession per game.

 The Central offense has been on the field just 71:32 in three games for an average of 23:50, while Truman’s offense is slightly better at 78:13 or 26:04 per game.

3 –Punching It In

Central leads the MIAA in redzone offense scoring at a 87.5% clip with five touchdowns out of seven chances.

Truman is eighth at a 72.7% scoring rate but has three touchdowns out of eight redzone possessions.

Both schools are in the top five in redzone defense as Central has allowed six touchdowns 14 possessions and the Bulldogs have allowed nine TDs out of 16 possessions.

4 – Getting To The QB

While both quarterbacks like to throw with Truman averaging 41 pass attempts and the Mules 35 attempts per game, offensive and defensive line play will be important. Truman’s defense has registered four sacks with the Mules have three in the first three games.

Truman’s O-Line has allowed four sacks while Central’s line has allowed seven.

5 – First Road Test

After playing their first three games at home to start the season, this will be the Bulldogs first away game. Truman was 2-3 on the road last season with wins at non-conference Saint Joseph’s College (Ind.) and MIAA member Emporia State (Kan.). The Bulldogs lost by three at Pittsburg State in their last road game on Nov. 6th.

The Mules were 5-1 at home a season ago with the only loss coming on a last second field goal by Northwest Missouri (17-16).

Courtesy Truman State University