Football | 11/5/2011 6:11:00 PM
Box Score Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The Bulldogs game-tying point after attempt fell less than one-yard short, as the McPherson College football team lost to Kansas Wesleyan University, 38-37, Saturday afternoon at McPherson Stadium.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 3-7 overall and 3-5 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, while the Coyotes improve to 5-5 overall and 5-3 in league action.
Trailing with 1:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs drove 56 yards on nine plays – aided by a Kansas Wesleyan pass interference call - to cut the deficit to 38-37 when senior wide receiver
Joe Middleton (Phoenix, Ariz.) out jumped the Coyote corner for his second touchdown of the afternoon. However, a Bulldog unsportsmanlike conduct penalty turned MC’s extra point attempt into a 35-yarder directly into a 30 mile per hour wind. In the end, the wind won, pushing the attempt less than a yard short of the cross bar.
On the afternoon, the Coyotes outgained the Bulldogs 502-392, including 256 yard rushing and four touchdowns from running back Brett Giesen.
Junior quarterback
Jake Snodgrass (Derby, Kan.)completed 23-of-36 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns to lead a McPherson passing attack that accounted for 75 percent of MC’s total offense. Senior wide receiver
Andy Skinner (Montezuma, Kan.) proved Snodgrass’s favorite target with a team-high seven receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown, while Middleton recorded five catches for 73 yards and two scores.
Junior running back
Taurus D'Antignac (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the Bulldog ground game with 62 yards on 11 carries, while senior running back
Travon Jones (Fresno, Calif.) posted his fourth multi-touchdown performance with two scores. Additionally, Jones gained 32 yards on 14 attempts.
Following fumbles from both teams on their opening possessions, Kansas Wesleyan seized the early momentum with three touchdowns and a 23-yard field goal to take a 24-0 lead with 7:55 remaining in the first half. McPherson, aided by a Coyote illegal procedure penalty, took over at midfield with a little under eight minutes remaining. The Bulldogs proceeded to drive 50 yards on four plays, capped by a three-yard touchdown run by Jones, to cut the KWU lead to 24-6 at the half. McPherson missed the extra point.
The Bulldogs would continue that momentum into the third quarter, as McPherson outscored the Coyotes 17-0 to make it a 24-23 Kansas Wesleyan lead entering the final frame. McPherson’s scores came on a 32-yard Skinner pass reception, a one-yard Jones run and a 36-yard Nick Kouth field goal.
Kansas Wesleyan answered the MC run with a 19-yard Trey Dallas touchdown pass to Carl Caldwell with 12:40 remaining, but the Bulldogs answered with Middleton’s first score of the afternoon, a 14-yard pass from Snodgrass to cut the deficit to two. McPherson converted its two-point conversion attempt to tie the score, 31-31.
However, much as they did earlier in the game, Kansas Wesleyan regained the lead on Giesen’s fourth touchdown run of the game. McPherson brought the game within one, but failed on the extra point.
Defensively, senior linebacker
Darrick Johnson (Maricopa, Ariz.) and sophomore defensive back
Phillip Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles each.
McPherson wraps up its 2011 season next Saturday, Nov. 12 when the Bulldogs host Sterling College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (CT).
