Central Missouri running back Anthony Stewart breaks free during the Mules' 27-17 victory versus Missouri Southern State Saturday.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The running back didn’t want to relive last season. He had to make sure the No. 19-ranked Mules had a shot at the postseason with one week left to play, even if that meant taking on a bigger role.

Anthony Stewart gave the Mules that chance with his best game of the season Saturday. Not only did Stewart carry Central Missouri to a 27-17 win against Missouri Southern State in front of 4,875 at Walton Stadium, he also made the plays when the Mules (7-2, 5-2 MIAA) had to have them.

That’s because with three turnovers in the first half, the Mules struggled to separate themselves from the Lions in the first three quarters of the game. Stewart became coach Willie Fritz’s best option late in the game for two reasons: Stewart could run and catch the football well.

“He’s a heck of a weapon catching the ball out of the backfield,” Fritz said of Stewart. “At the end of the game when we needed the plays, Anthony sure made them.”

Although Stewart only scored one touchdown, he made sure the Mules moved the football down the field in the second half. With 134 yards rushing and 125 yards receiving, Stewart became the weapon the Lions (3-5, 3-4 MIAA) couldn’t stop.

And with his ability to get outside and make defenders miss, Stewart setup touchdowns for quarterback Eric Czerniewski and receiver Bobby Guillory in the fourth quarter.

Mules defender Joseph Bangali tries to make a tackler miss while returning his interception.

“He makes plays when there’s nothing there,” Czernieski said of Stewart. “He’s a tough guy, and he won’t take himself out of the game until he can’t move.”

Stewart had to take more responsibility when Czerniewski left the game late in the first quarter with a lower body injury. And even though Czerniewski returned late in the second quarter, Stewart had already made up his mind that he was going to have to be the go-to guy.

“You’re going to have adversity in any game,” said Stewart, who with his receiving yards broke the school record for receiving yards by a running back in a season. “The real teams with heart will find a way to get it done. I knew I had to do my job out there.”

Originally, Fritz and the rest of the coaching staff weren’t sure if Stewart could handle the load as the featured back. Early in the season, the coaches tried the running back-by-committee philosophy. But once Stewart showed he had good hands and could be durable in carrying the ball 20 or more times a game, it was easy for Fritz to give Stewart the starting position.

“I just try to do my job when I catch the ball. I’ve wanted to get better this year at catching the ball.” Stewart said. “It’s just good to be out there and be an asset for the team.”

He has a reason to feel that way, too.

A year ago, Stewart was sidelined for the entire season with a back injury. So when the Mules collapsed late in the season with close losses to Missouri Western and Nebraska-Omaha at home that ended their playoff hopes, Stewart had to suffer without having the opportunity to contribute.

This season, Stewart has made the plays necessary for Central Missouri to have a shot at postseason play. If the Mules win next week against No. 3 Northwest Missouri State at Maryville, Mo., Central Missouri will advance to the playoffs for the first time since
2003.

Early in the game though, the Mules were headed down that familiar road like last season. The Lions, who had a 10-7 lead and were gaining confidence, had momentum early in the third quarter. Defensive back Kor’Ree Mason swung the game in the Mules’ favor with an interception deep in Central Missouri’s territory.

From there, Stewart moved the Mules down the field with runs to the outside and screen passes, allowing Czerniewski’s touchdown to give the Mules the lead for good.

“He’s the man,” said Guillory of Stewart. “He’s a leader on this team and he doesn’t even know it. A lot of people don’t see Stewart as a leader, but he’s a vocal guy that believes in us.”

Now, Stewart knows he has to have a similar performance next week. And after this win, he doesn’t have a problem with the ball in his hands with the season on the line.