Football | 9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – Led by a powerful offense, McPherson College upset No. 9 Friends University, 60-38 Saturday in the College Fanz Sports Network’s Game of the Week at McPherson Stadium in McPherson, Kan.
A packed house at McPherson Stadium enjoyed an offensive spectacle as both sides produced over 350 yards of total offense. In the end, a strong team effort helped McPherson come out on top as the Bulldogs earned their first win over Friends University since 2005.
“The team played with a lot of emotion and effort,” said McPherson College head coach Brian Ward. “I’m really proud of our effort against a very tough side.”
“We are doing good things, but we still have a lot to improve upon if we want to reach the goals our team has set.”
On offense, Mascarenas completed 19-of-31 passes to total 338 yards through the air while connecting on one touchdown each to, Andy Skinner, Stephen Harrison, Joe Middleton and Aaron Lafitte. Aaron Lafitte led the ground game with 117 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
McPherson’s defense held the Falcon offense to only 61 yards rushing, but struggled stopping the pass as Falcon quarterback Tim Rozzell threw for 308 yards on 21-of-39 passing.
After the Bulldog defense held FU to a quick three and out, Mascarenas got the Bulldogs offense off to a fast start, connecting with Stephen Harrison on a 32 yard pass play to move the Bulldogs down to the Friends 23 yard line. Five plays later, Mascarenas hit Aaron Lafitte for six yards and the 7-0 lead.
John Sobczuk and fellow defensive lineman Scott Jones put an exclamation point on McPherson’s second defensive stand, when Sobczuk forced a fumble, which Jones took to pay dirt to give MC a quick, 14-0 lead.
McPherson would score on their next two drives giving the Bulldogs a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter.
In the next series, Friends, aided by a McPherson illegal kicking penalty engineered an 80-yard drive capped by a 10-yard pass from Rozzell to tight end Clint Bently. The Falcons would miss the extra point making the score 28-6.
The two sides would trade scores and go into the locker with the score 35-14 in favor of the Bulldogs.
McPherson went into the locker room with 258 yards of total offense compared to 179 by the Falcons. Mascarenas was 12-of-22 in the half for 193 yards and three scores.
The Bulldogs wasted no time scoring to start the second half, moving the ball 68 yards in just four plays. The drive was capped when Mascarenas hooked up with Andy Skinner on a nine-yard touchdown strike.
The two sides would continue to trade touchdowns for the remainder of the third quarter, with MC maintaining a 17-point advantage, 47-30, entering the fourth quarter.
McPherson kept the pressure on the Falcons, recovering a fumble deep in Falcon territory. It took the Bulldogs only two plays before Lafitte powered the ball into the end zone. The touchdown increased the Bulldog led to 53-30 with a little over 12 minutes remaining.
However, Friends refused to go away, driving 61 yards to bring the score back within two touchdowns, 53-36. FU finished the drive when the taller, Doug Pierce out jumped the smaller McPherson defender for the touchdown. The Falcons would complete the two-point conversion bringing the game within 15 points.
McPherson answered the Falcons score with another successful drive, covering 55 yards in seven plays capped by Ryan Smith’s fourth touchdown of the season to give MC a 60-38 lead.
The Falcons failed to answer on their next possession allowing the Bulldogs to run out the clock to record the 60-38 win.
McPherson will hit the road again next week, when they travel to Ottawa, Kan., to take on #22 Ottawa University, Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
