For the second straight week, No. 20 Central Missouri football has scored 50 or more points after a 51-14 rout of Missouri Western at home.

The Griffons momentum from upsetting a then top-5 team in Fort Hays State the week before was halted almost immediately by the Mules high-powered offense led by former third string quarterback Jeremy Hunt.

Photo by Kaitlin Brothers/News Editor

The Mules line up on defense in their 51-14 victory over Missouri Western Saturday at Walton Stadium.

Central Missouri found the end zone on three of their first four drives to begin the game on runs by Hunt and sophomore running back Devante Turner. The Mules ended the first quarter with a 21-0 lead when Hunt found redshirt freshman Shae Wyatt for a 55-yard touchdown, the first of his career.

The second quarter saw the Mules defense continue to hold the upper hand over the Griffons, but an early touchdown got Western on the board. Senior Alex Langer nailed two 37-yard field goals to give the Mules a 27-7 halftime lead.

Hunt opened the second half on fire following a touchdown from the Griffons. The Mules responded immediately with a 64-yard touchdown pass from Hunt to All-American punter and backup tight end Zach Davidson.

On the next offensive possession, senior Kyrion Parker made a highlight reel 40-yard touchdown catch to give the Mules a 41-14 lead. Hunt found senior tight end Seth Hebert for his fourth touchdown of the afternoon and the Mules would cruise to their second victory of the season.

The Mules offense gained 598 total yards, nearly 400 more than the Griffons 205.

Photo by Peter Spexarth/For the Muleskinner

True freshman Zion Perry racked up 70 total yards for the second straight game in the Mules 51-14 win over Missouri Western Saturday at Walton Stadium.

Hunt finished 22-36 with 405 yards, four passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and zero interceptions in his first start as a Mule. Hunt’s stat line earned recognition as the MIAA’s Offensive Player of the Week.

Both Parker and Wyatt finished with over 100 yards receiving. True freshman Zion Perry totaled 70 yards between rushing and receiving.

Sophomore linebacker John Embrey led the Mules defense with nine tackles, including two for a loss and one sack.

The win bumped the Mules up one spot to No. 19 in the latest American Football Coaches Association poll and are the fourth MIAA team appearing in the top-25. Northwest Missouri State remains at No. 4 in an unchanged top-5 following their 63-0 drubbing of Missouri Southern.

Next up for the Mules is a road matchup with Washburn. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Yager Stadium in Topeka, Kansas.