Football | 9/29/2010 9:52:40 AM
Game 4: #7 McPherson at RV Sterling College
Oct. 2, 2010 | Simsor Stadium | Sterling, Kan. | 1:30 p.m.
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Audio
The Matchup
McPherson continues KCAC play on Saturday afternoon when the Bulldogs hit the road for Sterling College. Kickoff time for game is set for 1:30 p.m. at Simsor Stadium in Sterling, Kan. Live game audio will be provided at www.macbulldogs.com.
The Bulldogs enter the contest with fresh bodies as the team is coming off its bye week. Prior to the bye, McPherson rolled up 618 yards of total offense en route to a 56-24 thrashing of then No. 7 ranked Ottawa University. With the victory, the Bulldogs jumped from ninth to seventh in the NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 poll and improved to 3-0 on the season.
Sterling enters Saturday 2-1 and fresh off a tough loss against Ottawa University last weekend. The Warriors entered the season ranked fourth in the KCAC preseason coaches and media polls.
Series Breakdown
Saturday’s game will mark the 69th meeting between the two schools. Sterling owns a 37-29-2 advantage in matchups with the Bulldogs. Last season, McPherson snapped a four game winless streak against the Warriors with a 21-0 Homecoming shutout. The first meeting between the two sides dates back to 1920, a 15-0 win by McPherson.
The Coaches
McPherson – Joe Bettasso (Missouri Southern State University ’05) is in his first season as the head coach of the McPherson football program. Prior to assuming his current duties, Bettasso spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs and one season as a defensive backs coach at his alma mater, Missouri Southern State University.
Sterling – Andy Lambert (Trinity International University) is in his 14th season as a head coach, sixth season with the Warriors. He owns a 40-23 record with Sterling, including a 33-16 record over the past five seasons. Prior to Sterling, Lambert coached seven seasons at Trinity International University (Ill.). At Trinity, he guided the Trojans to a 22-11 record, including a Mid-States West co-conference championship in 2003.
Scouting Sterling
Sterling returns 14 starters from a 2009 squad that went 6-4 overall and 5-4 in KCAC play. The Warriors ended last season with bitter feeling after a 30-0 loss at KCAC bottom feeder Bethel College. A year ago, Sterling struggled to open the season, but won four of its last five. The 2010 Warriors are off to a 2-1 start with a pair of home wins against Southwestern College and Peru State College, and a road loss at No. 15 Ottawa University.
Last week against Ottawa, Sterling set a season best with 329 yards of total offense, including 179 yards from the ground game. The Warriors converted 7-of-16 third downs, but an interception with less than three minutes remaining in the game sealed the Warriors fate.
Second year starter Keoki Burbank and All-KCAC First team running back Rashard Colquitt lead the Warrior spread option attack. Colquitt carried the ball 181 times for 835 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago to rank second among KCAC tailbacks. In 2010, the 5-10 205-pound native of Corrigan, Texas, averages 85.0 yards per game on 56 carries for 255 yards, and currently leads the team with three rushing touchdowns.
Burbank, although not called on to pass often, ranks third in the KCAC in pass efficiency at 138.1. He has completed 24-of-39 (.615) passes for 222 yards and four touchdowns, while only throwing one interception. On the ground, Burbank ranks third on the team with 13 carries for 67 yards, including a long of 21.
The Warriors primary strength comes from the defensive side of the football, as SC ranks third in the KCAC in total defense (306.0 yards/G), while, more specifically, ranking 22nd nationally in pass defense per game (160.7) and 33rd in scoring defense (22.0 per game).
Junior safety Brock Frank leads the team with 19 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss on the season. Four other Warriors have amassed double-digit tackles, including Cory Dunbar (14), Kerby Rice (14), Tate Arnold (12) and Antoine Turner (12). Dunbar leads the team with two interceptions, while Rice paces the defense by recording 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
