Football | 10/4/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – In a strong defensive performance, No. 20 McPherson College Bulldogs shutout the visiting Sterling College Warriors, 21-0 in front of a packed Homecoming crowd at McPherson Stadium Saturday afternoon. The shutout is McPherson’s first of the Warriors in 20 years, and the first since 1997 when they shutout Tabor College 21-0.
The Bulldogs were dominant on the defensive side, holding the seventh ranked rushing offense to only 66 yards and forcing four fumbles. Sterling running back Rashard Colquitt entered the contest leading the KCAC (7th NAIA) in rushing, averaging 114.3 yards per game, but was held by a tenacious MC defense to a season low 33 yards on the ground, 81.3 yards under his season average.
Junior linebacker Will Powers led the team with nine tackles, including four solo tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. Jeff Paulson finished the game with seven tackles (four solo) and one interception respectively.
Despite turning the ball over five times, McPherson’s offense moved the ball efficiently against the Warriors. The Bulldogs racked up 425 yards of total offense, including a 68-yard screen play to junior running back Aaron Lafitte.
Quarterback Shane Mascarenas completed 22-of-31 passing for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Mascarenas connected with seven different receivers, including Stephen Harrison who led the Bulldogs with seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
After the McPherson defense held Sterling to a three-and-out to start the game, The Bulldogs offense took the field for the first time. McPherson’s offense sputtered until Mascarenas linked up with Stephen Harrison for a 48-yard pass, moving the Bulldogs into Warrior territory. However, Sterling defensive back Andrew Lott intercepted Mascarenas’ pass to stall the McPherson drive.
McPherson would put together another long drive in their next offensive possession, but again a turnover ended the drive.
For the third straight series, the Bulldogs defense held strong, forcing the Warriors into their third punt in three drives. After a botched punt, McPherson took over at the Sterling 33-yard line. It took McPherson only three plays to reach pay dirt on a Stephen Harrison 21-yard pass reception. The touchdown gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.
McPherson would score again on a slow, methodical 13 play, 78-yard drive capped by a 20-yard pass from Mascarenas to Andy Skinner for his fifth touchdown of the season. Skinner has caught at least one touchdown in all four of the Bulldogs’ games this season.
The two sides would trade punts to end the first half 14-0 in favor of the Bulldogs. McPherson dominated Sterling in the first half holding the Warriors to only 27-yards of total offense on 27 plays from scrimmage. Offensively the Bulldogs racked up 236 yards, including 167 passing yards.
It took McPherson until 6:22 in the fourth quarter to find the end zone when Aaron Lafitte took a 68-yard screen pass to pay dirt, giving the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead and the eventual win.
McPherson continues KCAC play on Saturday, October 10, when the Bulldogs travel to Leavenworth to take on the University of Saint Mary Spires. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Scoring Summary
Final: McPherson 21, Sterling 0
First Quarter
No scores
Second Quarter (MC 14-0)
MC – Stephen Harrison, 21yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick) – 4 plays, 33 yards, 1:20, MC 7-0
MC – Andy Skinner, 20yd pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason Kick) – 13 plays, 78 yards, 6:12, MC 14-0
Third Quarter
No Scores
Fourth Quarter (21-0)
MC – Aaron Lafitte, 68yd pass from Shan Mascarenas (Eason Kick) – 2 plays, 59 yards, 1:07, MC 21-0
Final: McPherson 21, Sterling 0
Time of Game: 3:30
