LEAVENWORTH -- Football was fun again Saturday for the McPherson College Bulldogs.
After five weeks of offensive struggles that produced only 18 points, the Bulldogs broke out of their slump in a big way for a 34-18 victory over KCAC newcomer Saint Mary College.
It was the initial victory under first-year coach Dan Davis, whose team will take this new-found momentum into Saturday's homecoming game against KCAC leader Ottawa.
"I was happy more for the kids than myself," Davis said. "I didn't want them to have an "o-fer' season. Now that should give us a little confidence and I think we have a chance to win one or two more."
The Bulldogs' offense, averaging less than 150 yards coming into the game, showed terrific balance with 178 yards rushing and 264 passing by quarterback Jason Gondringer for a total of 442.
The Bulldogs built up a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter on runs of 23 yards and 1 yard by diminutive freshman Harold Harris, and a 58-yard TD pass from Gondringer to Jay Williams.
After Saint Mary scored to pull within 21-6 at the half, the Bulldogs pushed the lead to 34-6 in the third quarter on a plunge by Gondringer and a 20-yard pass from Gondringer to John Berlanga, who had the best day of his career with 8 catches for 148 yards.
Saint Mary scored a pair of touchdowns after the outcome had been decided. The Spires could manage only 68 yards on the ground against what has been a tough Mac defense against the run, although Saint Mary did pick up 274 yards through the air, 215 of that in the second half.
Williams and Harris were a nice 1-2 punch for Mac, as Williams pounded out 83 yards on 22 carries, while Harris had 81 on 17 trips.
STATISTICS
Mac Listed First
First Downs -- 19, 20. Rushes-Yards -- 45-178; 34-68. Passing -- 17-28-2-264; 22-46-2-274. Punts-Avg. -- 5-42.2; 4-32.7. Fumbles-Lost -- 3-2; 4-3. Penalties-Yards -- 13-99; 7-34.
INDIVIDUALS
Rushing -- Mac--Williams 22-83, Harris 17-81, Gondringer 5-11, Cacal 1-3. SM--Gardner 14-36, Hodam 20-32.
Passing -- Mac--Gondringer 17-27-1-264, Eason 0-1-1-0. SM--Hodam 22-46-2-274.
Receiving -- Mac--Berlanga 8-148, Mireles 4-26, Williams 2-67, Ullom 2-12, McClitnic 1-11. SM--Shelley 5-100, Strouhal 6-50, Bowers 5-33, Miller 4-70, Gardner 2-21.
