The Wildcats’ season came to an end Saturday as the  Central Missouri Mules upset ACU 55Â-41 in a second-round playoff matchup. A 21-0 first quarter deficit was too much for the Wildcats to overcome as the Mules advanced to the next round.
“We are really disappointed on how the game turned out,” Coach Chris Thomsen said. “I think both teams played very well we just didn’t make enough plays in the red zone to win the game.”
After trailing 21Â-0, ACU got on the board with a touchdown reception by Ben Gibbs in the second quarter. However, Â UCM would answer, scoring two more touchdowns in the second quarter to make the score 35-6. ACU would rally back by scoring two touchdowns in the last 1:30 of the half and after converting on the two-point conversion, ACU trailed 35Â-21 at halftime.
“In the playoffs you can’t just fall behind like that,” Quarterback Mitchell Gale said. “When you do fall behind you have to overcome it. Today we just didn’t.”
ACU would continue its comeback as a defensive stop led to another Gibbs touchdown. The Wildcats defense continued to play well in the third quarter getting stops on its next two possessions. However, ACU could only manufacture two field goals out of those possessions making the score 35-34 Central Missouri going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth Central Missouri used the wind to connect on a 61Â-yard touchdown pass to widen the lead. After a missed extra point attempt, ACU trailed by seven. ACU could not manufacture anything on offense forcing them to punt. UCM took over on their own 48-yard line after the punt, leaving them with a short field. UCM would drive down and score to put the ‘Cats on the ropes at 48Â-34 with 4:53 left in the game.
ACU did not give up, as Gale drove the Wildcats down and hooked up with Edmund Gates on a 32-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats trailed 48-41 with only 2:23 and elected to attempt an onside kick. ACU was unsuccessful and UCM recovered. The Wildcats needed a stop, but UCM running back Anothony Stewart  broke a 42 yard touchdown run to seal the victory. Central Missouri went on to defeat the Wildcats 55Â-41.
“Central Missouri did a great job, they came out fast just like last week,” Thomsen said. “We slowed them down in the second half, but offensively we couldn’t manufacture touchdowns. We were disappointed in the outcome, but Central Missouri played a great game.”
