Football | 9/4/2011 12:45:00 AM
Box Score
Box Score
Marshall, Mo. – The 12th-ranked McPherson College football team struggled in a 47-10 loss at No. 11 Missouri Valley College Saturday evening at Volney C. Ashford Stadium in Marshall, Mo.
Senior linebacker J.L. Gomez (Prosper, Texas) and junior cornerback DaMarcus Trotter (Kansas City, Mo.) were two bright spots for the Bulldogs on the evening. Gomez paced a Bulldog defense that allowed 486 yards of total offense to the Vikings with 10 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, while Trotter added eight tackles (seven solo), one interception and three pass defenses.
McPherson’s offense struggled to find a rhythm, as the Bulldogs tallied 132 yards of total offense. Junior quarterback Jake Snodgrass (Derby, Kan.) led the offense by completing 7-of-19 passes for 63 yards, while carrying the ball six times for 17 yards, including McPherson’s lone touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Joe Middleton (Phoenix, Ariz.) led the receiving corp. with three catches for 45 yards, while senior running back Travon Jones (Fresno, Calif.) led the ground game with 15 carries for 33 yards.
Keith O’Neal and Lorenzo Dennard were the stars for the Viking offense. O’Neil ran for 117 yards on eight carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run the close out the first quarter. He added his second score of the night with 12:49 left in the fourth on a 10-yard run. Dennard ended the contest 11-of-30 passing for 192 yards and one touchdown.
Both defenses held strong through the first 10 minutes of the opening quarter until Missouri Valley marched 58 yards on 10 plays to take the 7-0 lead. However, following a Bulldog punt, Trotter intercepted a Dennard pass to give the Bulldogs the ball on the Viking 18. McPherson’s drive stalled after three plays, but freshman Nick Kouth (Lubbock, Texas) connected on a 32-yard field goal to cut the deficit to four, 3-7.
That would be as close as the Bulldogs would come, as Missouri Valley closed out the game by scoring on five of their next nine possessions, including O’Neals 66-yard touchdown run and a 54-yard punt return by Tyler Davis. McPherson added their lone touchdown of the game with nine minutes left in the fourth on a two yard run by Snodgrass.
McPherson returns to the field next Saturday, Sept. 10, when they welcome conference rival Bethany College. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. (CST) kickoff. In addition to the contest, McPherson will be celebrating the Blake Reed Memorial Scholarship.
