Football | 11/8/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score North Newton, Kan. – A season-high 35 carries for 117 yards from junior running back Aaron Lafitte, combined with a staunch defensive effort propelled the No. 15 McPherson College Bulldogs to a convincing 34-16 win over Bethel College Saturday afternoon at Thresher Stadium. McPherson wrote themselves into the history books with the win, tying the single season wins record of eight and demolishing the single season scoring record with 418 points in nine games.
McPherson held a 464-to-211 yard advantage in total offense with three different players scoring for the Bulldogs, including three touchdown runs from Lafitte. The defense performed equally well, allowing just 88 yards on the ground with six tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
Mascarenas keyed the McPherson aerial attack with another solid performance, completing 21-of-38 passes for 337 yards and two touchdown strikes of 50 and 42 yards. One the ground, McPherson pounded out 127 yards, the majority coming from Lafitte. Lafitte finished the game with three touchdowns along with 117 rushing yards.
McPherson jumped out to a 21-3 lead at halftime thanks to a 50-yard touchdown strike from Mascarenas to junior wide receiver Josh White and two Lafitte rushing touchdowns.
Mascarenas jump-started the Bulldogs scoring with a 50-yard touchdown pass to the streaking Josh White on the second play of the game.
Following a series of defensive stops, the offense posted another touchdown marching 50 yards on 14 plays to pay dirt. The drive was capped by a Lafitte two-yard dive to give McPherson a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Bulldog defense held strong on the next Bethel series, stuffing the Threshers on fourth and two to give the offense the ball on the MC 28. McPherson marched 63 yards on three plays, including a 55 yard pitch and catch from Mascarenas to Lafitte to set up a second touchdown for the junior running back.
Bethel placekicker Lee Voth-Gaeddert connected on a season-high 41-yard field goal, cutting the McPherson lead to 21-3 at halftime.
McPherson used the big play again to open the scoring in the second half. After the defense forced a Thresher punt, McPherson took the ball on their own 25-yard line. After a 19-yard pass to junior wide receiver Rattanak Mour moved the Bulldogs into Thresher territory, Mascarenas connected with one of his favorite targets, Andy Skinner for a 42-yard touchdown giving McPherson a 28-3 lead early in the third quarter.
Skinner’s touchdown reception is his team leading 13th of the season, and continues his touchdown reception streak to nine games.
After hold the Bulldogs to a three and out to start the fourth quarter, Bethel connected on a 39 yard touchdown strike on a fourth and 15 play to bring the game with in 18, 10-28.
McPherson answered back with a 13 play, 70-yard drive, capped by Lafitte’s third touchdown carry on the day extending the Bulldog lead to 34-10.
Bethel made use of two plays of greater than 15 yards to set up a one-yard Jarret Abell touchdown run on their next drive. The touchdown brought the score to 34-16 with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter.
On their next series, McPherson effectively ran out the clock.
McPherson returns home for the regular season finale next Saturday against Bethany College. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at McPherson Stadium.
