D2-CFB Game Preview: Central Missouri Mules (0-2) vs. Missouri Western Griffons (1-1)

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Kickoff: 6:00 PM CT
Venue: Spratt Memorial Stadium, St. Joseph, Missouri (Capacity: ~7,500)
Broadcast: MIAA Network / ESPN+ / Griffon Sports Radio Network

Weather Forecast (St. Joseph, MO)

Temperature: ~81°F (27°C) at kickoff, cooling into the low 70s by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Mostly clear skies, light winds (5–7 mph)

Impact: Ideal football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Central Missouri (0–2, 0–0 MIAA):

QB starter – Healthy; 3 TDs, 2 INTs through two games.

RB committee – Healthy; averaging 3.9 YPC.

WR top target – Healthy; 15 receptions, 2 TDs.

Defense – No major injuries, but unit has allowed 29 PPG.

Missouri Western (1–1, 0–0 MIAA):

QB Kane Donovan – Healthy; 486 yards, 5 TDs, 59% completions through two games.

WR Damir Abdullah – Healthy; 4 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD last week.

RB rotation – Healthy; balanced ground game.

Defense – Healthy; held Missouri S&T to 212 total yards in Week 2.

Key Player Matchups

QB Kane Donovan (MWSU) vs. UCM Secondary

Donovan is coming off a career-high 260-yard, 3-TD performance. UCM’s secondary has been vulnerable to big plays.

UCM QB vs. MWSU Pass Rush

Griffons’ defense forced two interceptions last week; pressure could be decisive.

RB Committee (UCM) vs. MWSU Front Seven

UCM must establish the run to avoid becoming one-dimensional.

WR Damir Abdullah (MWSU) vs. UCM Corners

Abdullah’s speed and red-zone ability could create mismatches.

Recent Team Form

Central Missouri Mules (0–2, MIAA)

9/12: L 29–24 vs. CSU–Pueblo

8/29: L 31–23 @ Delta State

Trend: Offense averaging 23.5 PPG; defense allowing 30 PPG.

Missouri Western Griffons (1–1, MIAA)

9/14: W 27–10 vs. Missouri S&T

8/30: L 30–26 vs. Augustana (SD)

Trend: Offense averaging 26.5 PPG; defense allowing 20 PPG.

Series History

All-time series: Central Missouri leads 23–16.

Last meeting (2024): Missouri Western won 38–28 in Warrensburg.

2023: Central Missouri won 45–38 in St. Joseph.

The last five meetings are split 3–2 in favor of Central Missouri.

Betting Trends

Central Missouri:

1–4 SU in last 5 games.

1–4 ATS in last 5.

Overs hit in 3 of last 5.

Missouri Western:

3–2 SU in last 5 games.

3–2 ATS in last 5.

Unders hit in 3 of last 5.

Head-to-Head: Last 2 meetings split 1–1; both games went over 60 total points.

Historical Betting Results

Central Missouri: Struggles ATS as a road underdog; overs common when defense falters.

Missouri Western: Profitable ATS at home; unders frequent when defense dominates.

MIAA Trends: Home favorites cover ~58% of the time in September conference games.

Game Odds

Central Missouri Mules                 50.5

Missouri Western Griffons          – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025