Football | 9/18/2010 11:53:53 PM
Box Score
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The Bulldogs would have made their late team manager Blake Reed proud as McPherson scored on four of its first six possessions of the game en route to a 56-24 victory against No. 7 Ottawa University Saturday at McPherson Stadium. The win marks the Bulldogs second consecutive win against a top 25-ranked opponent.
With the victory, McPherson improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in KCAC play, while the Braves slipped to 2-1 and 1-1 in conference action.
McPherson rolled up a season-best 618 yards of total offense, including 441 through the air. The trio of Joe Middleton (Phoenix, Ariz.) (8 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD), Andy Skinner (Montezuma, Kan.) (5 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD) and Rattanak Mour (San Jose, Calif.) (4 receptions, 100 yards) combined for 339 of MC’s 441 total passing yards. In addition to the three wide receivers, running back Aaron Lafitte (Ironwood, Ariz.) racked up 101 yards in the ground game.
Bulldog quarterback Shane Mascarenas (Peoria, Ariz) connected on 25-of-37 attempts for 418 yards and four touchdowns. The only blemish on the day for the Bulldogs was its four turnovers.
Defensively McPherson held the OU offense to 318 yards, most of which came in the second half. Linebacker Will Powers posted his first double-digit tackles game of the season with 10 tackles, including six solo stops, one tackle for loss and one sack.
Following an Ottawa three-and-out to open the game, McPherson’s offense showed its quick strike ability, covering 58 yards on four plays, capped by a 23-yard run by Lafitte.
After an interception stalled MC’s second drive, the Bulldogs continued where it started with scoring drives of 80 yards on seven plays, 73 yards on five plays and 70 yards on seven plays to take a 28-3 lead part way through the second quarter.
The Bulldogs added insult to injury to end the half as Mascarenas hooked up with Middleton as time expired for a 19-yard touchdown pass. The score gave McPherson a 35-3 lead at the break.
McPherson’s defense was air tight in the first half, holding the Brave offense to a dismal 93 yards of total offense, while forcing three OU turnovers.
Since Ottawa took the ball to open the game, McPherson received the second half kickoff and proceeded to march 60 yards on four plays, capped by a six-yard pass from Mascarenas to Kory Lonberger (Minneapolis, Kan.) for his first career touchdown. The drive was aided by a 33-yard pitch and catch from Mascarenas to Middleton.
Ottawa tried to keep pace with a touchdown late in the third, but McPherson was too strong as the Bulldogs answered with two more scores on a Lafitte one-yard run and a 10-yard pass to Lonberger. The touchdowns extend the Bulldog lead to a game-high 46 points, 56-10.
The Braves would mount a small comeback with two fourth quarter scores of their own to bring the total to 56-24 in favor of McPherson.
McPherson hits the road in its next matchup against Sterling College on Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. from Warrior Stadium in Sterling, Kan.
Scoring Summary
Final: #9 McPherson 56, #7 Ottawa 24
First Quarter (MC, 14-3)
MC - 11:54 - Aaron Lafitte 23 yard run (Eason kick) - 4 plays, 58 yards, MC 7-0
MC - 3:41 - Aaron Lafitte 4 yard run (Eason kick) - 7 plays, 80 yards, MC 14-0
OU - 0:55 - Casey Wieder 36 yard field goal - 9 plays, 28 yards, MC 14-3
Second Quarter (MC, 35-3)
MC - 13:39 - Andy Skinner 27 yard pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason kick) - 5 plays, 73 yards, MC 21-3
MC - 8:12 - Scott Thibodeaux 2 yard run (Eason kick) - 7 plays, 70 yards, MC 28-3
MC - 0:00 - Joe Middleton 19 yard pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason kick) - 2 plays, 32 yards, MC 35-3
Third Quarter (MC, 42-10)
MC - 13:35 - Kory Lonberger 6 yard pass from Shane Mascarenas (Eason kick) - 4 plays, 60 yards, MC 42-3
OU - 3:34 - Shane Gimzo 6 yard run (Wieder kick) - 6 plays, 66 yards, MC 42-10
Fourth Quarter (MC, 56-24)
MC - 12:03 - Aaron Lafitte 1 yard run (Eason kick) - 5 plays, 80 yards, MC 49-10
MC - 9:52 - Kory Lonberger 10 yard pass from Shane Mascarenas - 5 plays, 25 yards, MC 56-10
OU - 6:46 - Michael Baer 10 yard run (Wieder kick) - 6 plays, 56 yards, MC 56-17
OU - 0:24 - Michael Wickley 1 yard run (Wieder kick) - 9 plays, 80 yards, MC 56-24
