Football | 9/26/2012 11:38:00 AM
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McPherson, Kan. – After a disappointing loss to Friends University, Bulldog football has a chance to move up in the KCAC ranks with a 7:00 p.m. (CT) matchup against the Bethel College Threshers on September 29th in North Newton, Kan.
The game will be broadcasted live on the KCAC Digital Network and at macbulldogs.com. You can also listen live to Nick Gosnell and McPherson College senior Langston Rhymes on 96.7 KBBE MidKansas Radio and at macbulldogs.com.
Despite having 10 more minutes in time of possession than the Falcons last week, McPherson was never able to pull away which allowed Friends to grab the win with a last minute touchdown drive, defeating MC 18-17. The final score was on a controversial call where the pass of Friends’ James Bristow was tipped at the line and wound up in the hands of an offensive lineman near the goal line. Traditionally, offensive linemen cannot catch a pass but as this one was tipped by a defensive player, it was ruled a legal catch.
The McPherson offense was held to a season low 292 total yards, compare that to last week’s 520 offensive production against Southwestern and it’s easy to see why Friends was able to stay so close.
Senior quarterback Jake Snodgrass (Derby, Kan.) led the team in total yardage with 212 yards, 176 passing on 14-of-26 and 36 rushing. Snodgrass scored one of the Bulldog touchdowns and running back Terrance Jones (Wichita, Kan.) had the other to go along with his 63 yards on the ground.
Julius Record (Detroit, Mich.) recorded five catches to lead the team but was only able to get 32 yards out of those receptions. James Patton (Cunningham, Kan.) pulled in just two passes but made the most of them by racking up 72 yards. Following his 100+ game against Southwestern, tight end Paul Rotering (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was only able to tally two catches for nine yards but did get McPherson’s lone receiving touchdown.
For the 10th ranked NAIA defense, Tyler Bruton (McPherson, Kan.), a freshman linebacker, came up big as he tallied 10 total tackles, five solo and five assisted; one of his solo tackles was a sack for an eight yard loss. Jimmy Wilson (Oakland, Calif.), Trea Lott (Sterling, Kan.) and Micah Roehl (Dighton, Kan.) each had nine tackles. Chris Barnes (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the team in sacks with one and a half to go with his four tackles.
McPherson goes into their bye week after the showdown with Bethel. Their next game will be against the Ottawa Braves on October 13th in Ottawa, Kansas at 7:00 p.m. (CT)
Scouting Bethel
The Threshers are coming off their bye week after losing 0-16 to KCAC opponent Bethany College on September 15th.
Bethel has one of the youngest squads in the conference, starting 12 underclassmen and only three seniors. They are in the middle of a coaching change with interim coach Jim Dotson coming in to serve as head coach for just the 2012 season. BC was left coach-less when 2011 coach Travis Graber resigned on July 27th; Dotson was hired on August 3rd.
The Thresher D is giving up 402 yards a contest, putting them eighth in the KCAC, and a league worst 258 on the ground. BC is ranked second in the conference in pass defense, allowing only 144 aerial yards a game which places them 13th in the NAIA.
The defense is led by junior inside linebacker Garrett Garcia with his 12.3 tackles a game, placing him sixth in the county and first in the KCAC. Free safety Nick Bartholomus is ranked 11th in the Nation in tackles per game with 11.3, second in the conference; he is also 13th in the NAIA with his 0.7 interceptions per game.
Despite having a starting line with only one upperclassman, the Threshers have only given up four sacks this season, putting them eighth in the Nation. Quarterback Bo Pratt is the offensive leader of BC, averaging 67 yards passing and 27 yards rushing a game. The Thresher rushing attack is centered around senior Ben Suchsland who has 98 rushing yards this season.
A trip to Wichita, Kan., awaits the Threshers after their matchup with McPherson. Bethel will take on the Friends University Falcons on October 6th at 1:30 p.m. (CT)
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