Football | 10/18/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score Salina, Kan. – McPherson College scored 42 first half points en route to a 52-38 victory at Kansas Wesleyan University Saturday afternoon. The win marks the first time the Bulldogs have defeated the Coyotes since 2003.
As a team, McPherson gained 382 yards on 75 plays with 263 yards coming from the passing game. Junior quarterback Shane Mascarenas led the McPherson offensive attack completing 16-of-30 attempts for 241 yards, including a career high five touchdown passes. Mascarenas’ five touchdowns put him in a tie for fourth on the all-time single game list.
The Bulldogs spread the ball to 10 different receivers with four different receivers catching touchdown passes. For the fifth time this season, Andy Skinner led the Bulldog receiving corp. Skinner finished the game with four receptions for 66 yards, including a touchdown. Skinner as scored at least one touchdown in each of the Bulldogs six games and currently leads the team with eight receiving touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver/kickoff returner, Stephen Harrison finished the game with 244 all-purpose yards, including an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the only second half touchdown for McPherson.
Aaron Lafitte again led the McPherson ground game with 88 yards rushing on 19 carries, including one touchdown.
The two-headed monster of Jeff Paulson and Will Powers once again led the McPherson defense. Paulson finished the contest with eight tackles, six solo, one tackle for loss and one interception. Powers had an equally impressive day with eight tackles, including two solo tackles.
Along with Paulson and Powers, defensive lineman Scott Jones wreaked havoc in the Kansas Wesleyan backfield. He constantly applied pressure on the Coyotes quarterback finishing the game with four tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.
The Bulldog defense allowed the Coyotes 463 yards of total offense a majority of which coming in the fourth quarter against the McPherson third and fourth string defenders.
McPherson struggled to find a rhythm to start the game, allowing the Coyotes to charge 68 yards on four plays to take a 7-0 lead in their opening series.
After a Bulldog three and out, the Coyotes took over on their own 10-yard line. After two plays and a penalty, the Coyotes found themselves in a third and long situation, when McPherson linebacker Jeff Paulson intercepted quarterback Doug Webster, giving McPherson a short field.
It took the Bulldogs two plays for Mascarenas to connect with tight end Joe Middleton for his second touchdown on the year to bring the score even at seven.
The defense would hold strong on the KWU second series forcing the Coyotes to punt, giving McPherson the ball on their own 37 yard line. A 26 yard burst from Aaron Lafitte moved the Bulldogs into Kansas Wesleyan territory at the KWU 28. Two plays later, Mascarenas connected with wide receiver Josh White, who carried two defenders into the end zone to give the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead. A lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game.
The two sides would hold each other to three and outs on the next two series.
On McPherson’s last series of the first quarter, the Bulldogs marched 61 yards on four plays to pay dirt. The drive was capped by Mascarenas’s third touchdown pass of the game, a 25-yard strike to Andy Skinner.
McPherson continued their dominance in the second quarter, scoring on their first drive to extend their lead to 28-7.
Kansas Wesleyan would strike back, aided by a 15 yard McPherson facemask penalty, to bring the game back within two touchdowns at 14-28. The seven play, 63-yard drive was finished off by a Jake Winship two-yard run.
The Coyotes would not hold the momentum for long as Stephen Harrison returned the kickoff 67 yards, placing the Bulldogs deep within KWU territory at the 30-yard line. After a running play and incomplete pass, Mascarenas would connect with Harrison for 25 yards moving the Bulldogs within the KWU five-yard line. Two plays later, Joe Middleton out jumped the Coyote cornerback for his second touchdown on the day.
McPherson would add on another touchdown prior to finishing the half to go into the locker room with a 42-14 first half lead.
The Bulldogs out gained the Coyotes 329 to 170 in the first half, holding the powerful Coyote rushing attack to only 67 yards.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with a bang as Stephen Harrison weaved his way through the KWU defense returning the opening kickoff 80 yards to pay dirt.
Harrison’s return would be the only second half touchdown for McPherson.
McPherson’s defense held the Coyotes scoreless in the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter, McPherson had removed all starters from the contest giving playing time to many underclassmen.
The Coyotes took full advantage on the inexperience on the field for the Bulldogs, scoring 24 fourth quarter points.
The Bulldogs would tack on a late field goal to make the final score 52-38.
Scoring Summary
Final: McPherson 51, Kansas Wesleyan University 38
First Quarter (MC 21-7)
KWU – Corey Ham, 29 yd pass from Doug Webster (McKeon Kick Good) – 4 plays, 68 yards, KWU 7-0
MC – Joe Middleton, 17 yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick Good) – 2 plays, 17 yards, MC 7-7
MC – Josh White, 24 yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick Good) – 6 plays, 63 yards, MC 14-7
MC – Andy Skinner, 25 yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick Good) – 4 plays, 61 yards, MC 21-7
Second Quarter (MC 42-14)
MC – Aaron Lafitte, 3 yd run (Eason Kick Good) – 6 plays, 86 yards, MC 28-7
KWU – Jake Winship, 2 yd run (McKeon Kick Good) – 7 plays, 63 yards, KWU 14-28
MC – Joe Middleton, 7 yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick Good) – 5 plays, 30 yards, MC 35-14
MC – Stephen Harrison, 14 yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick Good) – 1 play, 14 yards, MC 42-14
Third Quarter (MC 49-14)
MC – Stephen Harrison, 80 yd kickoff return (Eason Kick Good) – 0 plays, 0 yards, MC 49-14
Fourth Quarter (MC 52-38)
KWU – Anthony Berry, 16 yd pass from Doug Webster (2-pt conversion Good) – 3 plays, 80 yards, KWU 22-49
MC – Travis Eason, 44 yd field goal – 7 plays, 25 yards, MC 52-22
KWU – Anthony Berry, 14 yd pass from Doug Webster (2-pt conversion Good) – 9 plays, 53 yards, KWU 30-52
KWU – Will Hall, 23 yd pass from Doug Webster (2-pt conversion Good) – 6 plays, 77 yards, KWU 38-52
Final: McPherson 52, Kansas Wesleyan 38
Time of Game: 3:59
