Football | 9/20/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score Ottawa, Kan. – In a game that featured two of the best offenses in the KCAC, McPherson’s Shane Mascarenas passed for 515 yards and four touchdowns, but the Bulldogs could not overcome two turnovers in the overtime period. The turnovers opened the door for the No.15 Braves to escape with a 44-41 win over the No. 21 Bulldogs at Peoples Bank Field on Saturday night.
Mascarenas’ 515 yards of passing on 33-of-48 attempts set the McPherson College record for individual passing in a game, a record previously held by Greg Mendez (446 yards, 11/13/99).
However, a 15-yard field goal by Casey Weider in the second overtime gave the Braves the 44-41 win.
Ottawa improved to 3-0 (2-0 KCAC) with the victory, while McPherson slipped to 2-1 (1-1 KCAC).
“Ottawa has a very good football team. It’s a tough way to lose,” McPherson head coach Brian Ward said. “We had opportunities and couldn’t use them. It comes down to players making plays, and our players didn’t capitalize on some of our opportunities. We have to learn from this game and come back.”
Ottawa began the game driving on the McPherson defense, but the drive stalled when Kyler Freeman intercepted Haller’s pass in the end zone. MC took full advantage of the turnover marching 80 yards on 12 plays, capped by a 10 yard pass from Mascarenas to Andy Skinner for the touchdown, giving MC a quick 7-0 lead.
But the potent Braves offense would not be held down for long, as the Braves came firing back with a five play, 70 yard drive of their own. The drive included a 42 yard pass from Haller to Cory Schultz, setting up a one-yard quarterback keeper for the touchdown. The Bulldogs blocked the Ottawa extra point, maintaining the McPherson lead, 7-6.
McPherson answered three plays later when Mascarenas hooked up with Stephen Harrison for a 73 yard touchdown reception, extending the MC lead to eight, 14-6.
The Bulldogs defense shut down Haller and the Braves on their next three drives to set up a Travis Eason field goal. After the field goal, the Bulldogs again forced the Braves offense into another three and out, but a MC fumble gave the Braves the ball back with great field position.
The Braves took full advantage of the McPherson miscue, marching 39 yards on five plays. The drive was finished by a 28 yard touchdown strike from Haller to his 6-5, 230 pound tight end Taylor Burnett. The touchdown cut the McPherson lead to 17-13.
The two sides would trade touchdowns to end the half, giving MC a 31-20 lead.
McPherson came out of the half driving on the Braves, but a false start and sack stalled the drive. Travis Eason connected on his second field goal, 34-20.
However, the third quarter belonged to the Braves, as OU scored 21 unanswered points to take the lead 41-34.
McPherson answered back with a four yard touchdown run by Aaron Lafitte to tie the game at 41.
OU took the ball back with 5:12 left in the fourth quarter. Ottawa drove the ball down to the McPherson 30 yard line, but two consecutive incomplete passes forced the Braves to attempt a 48 yard field goal. The Braves missed the field goal, giving McPherson a final chance to win the game in regulation.
McPherson drove to the Ottawa 24 yard line, setting up a 41-yard Travis Eason field goal. The kick had plenty of distance, but flew wide left sending the game into overtime.
Both sides failed to convert in the first overtime, giving McPherson the ball to start the second overtime. An incomplete pass and interception quickly gave the ball back to the Braves. The McPherson defense held strong, but a 25 yard field goal by Casey Wieder gave OU the overtime victory, 44-41.
Overall, MC recorded 572 yards of total offense, including 515 yards through the air. Shane Mascarenas completed 33-of-49 passes for 515 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bulldogs turned the ball over four times.
The McPherson defense held the Braves to only 28 yards rushing, but the young secondary allowed 587 yards through the air.
The Bulldogs return to McPherson on October 3 to celebrate Homecoming, as the Bulldogs battle Sterling College at McPherson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m
