Football | 9/21/2011 9:47:00 AM
Game 4: McPherson College (1-2, 1-1 KCAC) at Friends University (1-1, 1-0 KCAC)
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 | Adair-Austin Stadium | Wichita, Kan. | 7 p.m. (CST)
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Video (KCAC Broadcast Network)
The Matchup
McPherson continues its stretch of road contests, when it travels to Wichita, Kan., Saturday evening to take on the Friends University Falcons. The game will be live streamed via the KCAC Broadcast Network with a kickoff at Adair-Austin Stadium set for 7 p.m. (CST).
In addition to the live stream, radio coverage will be provided by 96.7 FM KBBE MidKansas Radio with an audio stream available at www.macbulldogs.com.
The Bulldogs enter the game with a 1-2 overall record and 1-1 KCAC record following a 13-10 victory over Southwestern College last Saturday. McPherson utilized a strong ground attack, which accounted for 178 of MC’s 278 total yards, and solid defensive effort in the win. Defensively, MC held the Moundbuilders to 248 yards of total offense, including only 81 yards passing.
McPherson continues to be led by senior running back Travon Jones. Jones joined the Bulldogs last season, but injury in the opening contest against Haskell Indian Nations sidelined him for the remainder of the season. However, Jones has battled back to take the bulk of the carries for the MC ground attack. He currently ranks third in the KCAC in rushing yards with 303, including a pair of 100-yard performances against Bethany and Southwestern.
Friends come into the matchup with a 1-1 overall record and 1-0 conference mark following a loss at No. 12 Southern Nazarene University (Okla.). The Falcons trailed 7-3 through the first half, but 28 straight points from Southern Nazarene put the game to rest.
Following Friends, McPherson returns to McPherson Stadium for its second home date of the season, when the Bulldogs host Bethel College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (CST)
Series Record
Saturday’s matchup between McPherson and Friends will be the 70th meeting between the schools, with Friends holding a 37-31-1 edge in the series. Despite the overall record, McPherson has dominated play the last two seasons with victories of 52-20 in 2010 and 60-38 in 2009.
Series Breakdown (Since 1999)
09/11/10 - at Friends - W 52-20
09/12/09 - vs. Friends - W 60-38
11/01/08 - at Friends - L 17-41
10/27/07 - vs. Friends - L 14-41
10/07/06 - at Friends - L 0-57
10/08/05 - vs Friends - W 28-21
11/06/04 - at Friends - W 22-21
11/01/03 - at Friends - W 43-35
11/02/02 - vs Friends - W 41-6
09/22/01 - at Friends - L 14-40
09/23/00 - vs Friends - L 0-20
10/02/99 - at Friends - W 26-15
Game 3 Bullets...
McPherson 13, Southwestern 10
» McPherson’s 13-10 win at Southwestern improves the Bulldogs win streak over the Moundbuilders to four games and improves the series record to 14-42. With the loss, Southwestern remains winless in Richard L. Jantz Stadium
» The Bulldogs’ 13 points is the fewest McPherson has scored in a victory since they defeated Tabor College, 13-6, on Nov. 3, 2007.
» Defensively, McPherson held the Moundbuilders to 10 points, which is the fewest points allowed by the Bulldogs since Nov. 6, 2010 (47-0 W over Bethel).
» McPherson opened the scoring on their second possession as senior wide receiver Chase Ozbun caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Matt Summers-Johnson. The reception marks Ozbun’s first career score and is the longest scoring play for the Bulldogs this season.
» Senior running back Travon Jones produced his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game with 101 yards on a career-high 26 carries. Jones capped a 10 play, 67-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown to give McPherson a 13-10 advantage with 14:54 remaining in the fourth. He ranks third in the KCAC with 303 rushing yards this season
» Junior quarterback Matt Summers-Johnson completed 4-of-8 passes for 74 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown pass marks the first of Summers-Johnson’s career at McPherson
» McPherson held a 36:06 to 23:44 edge in time of possession, which is the most time the Bulldog offense has retained the ball since Nov. 6, 2010 against Bethel College
» Senior linebacker Darrick Johnson and senior defensive lineman Charles Ryan led McPherson with eight tackles apiece. Ryan’s eight stops is a career-high for the senior since joining the Bulldogs last fall
» The Bulldog defense forced a season-high seven punts and forced the Moundbuilders to punt on 7-of-14 possessions.
Scouting Friends
Friends is 1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play following a season opening win at the University of Saint Mary and a loss at No. 12 Southern Nazarene University (Okla.). The Falcons return 16 starters – eight offensive and eight defensive – from a 2010 squad that finished a disappointing 6-4, including three straight losses to end the season.
Friends is averaging 17.0 points per game this season, while allowing 28.0.
Offensively, the Falcons have struggled this season, averaging only 179.0 yards of total offense, including only 87 yards last Saturday at Southern Nazarene. Friends has had a majority of its success this season in a ground game that is averaging 103.5 yards per game, while the passing attack averages 75.5.
Despite returning two tailbacks from a year ago, senior running back Frank Miles has emerged as the team’s top runner with 155 yards and one touchdown on 41 carries, including a season-high 121 yards against University of Saint Mary.
Junior quarterback Jayme Bristow has struggled with his consistency in 2011, completing only 35.3 percent on his passes for 151 yards. Against Southern Nazarene, Bristow completed 11-of-37 passes for 45 yards and was intercepted twice.
Defensively, Friends is limiting opponents to 42.5 rushing yards per game. The Falcons have struggled stopping the pass, allowing 309.5 passing yards per game, including 337 yards in their last game against Southern Nazarene. Junior safety Jeff Kontz leads the team with 16 tackles.
After McPherson, Friends remains home for a matchup with Kansas Wesleyan University. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7 p.m. (CST) at Adair-Austin Stadium.
Friends University Head Coach Monty Lewis
Head coach Monty Lewis is in his 17th season as a head coach and eighth year with the Falcons. Lewis ranks sixth all-time in the NAIA with 118 wins, including a 58-23 record with Friends. He guided the Falcons to three consecutive KCAC Championships and NAIA Football Championship appearances in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Prior to Friends, Lewis had stops at West Texas A&M University, Southwestern College (Kan.), University of Kentucky, Colorado State University, MacMurray College (Ill.), Northeastern Oklahoma State University and Fort Hays State University (Kan.).
