# 2023 Central Missouri Mules football team

The 2023 Central Missouri Mules football team represented the University of Central Missouri as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association during the 2023 NCAA Division II football season. Led by 2nd-year head coach Josh Lamberson, the Mules compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 9–1 in conference play; sharing the MIAA championship.
Central Missouri beat Henderson State in the first round before losing to the eventual champions, Harding, in the second round. Central Missouri played home games at Audrey J. Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Quarterback transfer Zach Zebrowski from Southern Illinois was named the Harlon Hill Trophy winner following the season.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| August 31 | 7:00 p.m. | at Missouri Western | | Spratt StadiumSt. Joseph, MO | W 45–38 | |
| September 9 | 1:00 p.m. | Central Oklahoma | | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO | W 41–17 | 7,381 |
| September 16 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 3 Pittsburg State | | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO | L 37–38 | 10,048 |
| September 23 | 1:00 p.m. | at Washburn | No. 25 | Yager Stadium at Moore BowlTopeka, KS | W 58–28 | 5,785 |
| September 30 | 1:00 p.m. | Northwest Missouri State | No. 21 | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO | W 41–38 | 8,900 |
| October 7 | 1:00 p.m. | Nebraska–Kearney | No. 18 | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO | W 38–14 | 8,100 |
| October 14 | 2:00 p.m. | at Northeastern State | No. 17 | Doc Wadley StadiumTahlequah, OK | W 63–24 | 3,180 |
| October 21 | 1:30 p.m. | No. 24 Emporia State | No. 16 | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO | W 77–27 | 12,102 |
| October 28 | 2:00 p.m. | at Missouri Southern | No. 15 | Fred G. Hughes StadiumJoplin, MO | W 42–21 | 1,012 |
| November 4 | 1:00 p.m. | Fort Hays State | No. 11 | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO | W 47–28 | 8,307 |
| November 11 | 12:00 p.m. | at Lincoln (MO)* | No. 7 | Dwight T. Reed StadiumJefferson City, MO | W 63–27 | 1,032 |
| November 18 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 25 Henderson State* | No. 6 | Audrey J. Walton StadiumWarrensburg, MO (NCAA Division II First Round) | W 56–14 | 2,500 |
| November 25 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 3 Harding* | No. 6 | First Security StadiumSearcy, AR (NCAA Division II Second Round) | L 34–35 | 3,500 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern Standard time ||||||||

## Coaching staff

Central Missouri Mules :
| Name | Position | Consecutive season at Central Missouri in current position | Previous position |
| Josh Lamberson | Head coach | 2nd | Abilene Christian assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2017–2021) |
| Hayden Hawk | Assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach | 1st | Henderson State offensive coordinator (2018–2022) |
| Justin Bane | Co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach | 1st | N/A |
| Greg Jones | Defensive coordinator and safeties coach | 1st | Oregon defensive analyst (2022) |
| Stephen Franklin | Special teams coordinator and linebackers coach | 1st | Bethel (MN) inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator (2021–2022) |
| Joe Holtzclaw | Co-offensive coordinator, run game coordinator, and offensive line coach | 1st | Central Missouri offensive line coach (2022) |
| Dana Chambers | Defensive line coach | 7th | Kalamazoo Central HS (MI) head coach (2009–2016) |
| Adrian Duncan | Running backs coach | N/A | N/A |
| Brian Smith II | Cornerbacks coach | N/A | N/A |
| Chace Gadapee | Tight ends coach | N/A | N/A |
| Terrance Dennis | Assistant special teams coordinator, kickers coach, punters coach, and long snappers coach | N/A | N/A |
| Reference: |||||