Football | 10/3/2013 9:28:00 AM
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McPherson, Kan. – Two weeks into conference play and there are three KCAC unbeatens left, No. 10 Ottawa University, No. 20 Friends University and RV McPherson College. Following this weekend, at most two will remain undefeated as the Braves travel to MC for 1:30 p.m. (CT) homecoming kickoff.
McPherson is coming off a hard fought 23-17 victory over Kansas Wesleyan. It was a game well managed by Mac and where the Bulldog D stepped up big, stopping the Coyotes on the goal line in the game's final seconds.
The contest started well for MC as they scored on the opening drive with the majority of the yardage coming on two Jordan Hoffman to Michael Ramos completions. KWU was quick to respond as the scored in just two plays, bringing the score even again at 7-7.
Later in the half, McPherson strung together a 10-play 87-yard drive, spanning several minutes going ahead 14-7 on the shoulders of Havelock Pomele. The 'Dogs stayed up by that margin headling into the locker room.
Mac increased their advantage to 10 points just a few minutes into the second half as Mike Phillips converted a 33-yard field goal. Kansas Wesleyan put three points of their own onto the scoreboard later in the quarter, narrowing the gap back to seven.
In the fourth quarter, Hoffman found Paul Rotering in the end zone, putting McPherson up 23-10 after a potentially detrimental blocked PAT.
The Coyotes scored with five minutes remaining, pulling within six, and then would get the ball back with just under three minutes showing on the clock after a missed 52-yard field goal by MC. Kansas Wesleyan drove the field all the way down to the one-yard line with less than a minute left. Two rush attempts by Taylor Sachs moved KWU back a yard and following a spike by quarterback Trey Dallas, a fourth and goal with three ticks remained. As time expired the Bulldog defense rose to the occasion and forced an incompletion, preserving their 23-17 victory.
McPherson won the yardage contest as they piled on 369 on just 63 plays compared to 328 on 81 by the Coyotes. Hoffman had another solid performance for Mac as he completed 20-of-25 for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Rotering was four yards off of the century mark as he pulled down a season-high seven receptions. Both Ramos and Tremon Robinson caught four passes in the win.
A running back by committee philosophy was implemented by MC to gain their 137 yards on the ground. Three 'Dogs made it into double-digits in attempts with Pomele eating up the most yardage as he totaled 60 on his 11 carries. Terrance Jones ran for 37 on 12 attempts while Scott Thibodeaux logged 10 yards on 10 tries.
Trent Forester had a career game for the Bulldog D as he racked up a team-high 10 total tackles, nine being solo stops. Tyler Bruton and Dominique Henderson each ended the contest with seven tackles. Defensive back Phil Wilson knocked down three passes and made five stops in Mac's victory.
After their Homecoming battle with Ottawa, the Bulldogs have a pair of road contests starting with a trip to Wichita, Kansas to play the Falcons of Friends. The October 12th matchup is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.
Scouting Ottawa
The Braves are 3-1 this year with their lone defeat coming at the hands of Baker University in the opening week 25-24. Since the loss, OU has taken down then No. 2 Missouri Valley College, Bethany College and most recently Bethel College; they've won by a combined 75 points.
Against the rebuilding Thresher squad, Ottawa made quick work of BC as they scored the first 28 points of the game. Heading into halftime up 38-14, OU coasted the rest of the way, winning 69-34.
The Braves totaled a mind-blowing 466 yards on the ground with Luke Lundy leading the way with is 169 on 22 attempts; he also had two scores. Dexter Hays totaled 122 yards on his 22 carries and scored three times. Quarterback Michael Behr put up 78 on the ground and 162 through the air, completing 18-of-25 with three total touchdowns. Wide out Joshua Stangby caught the ball five times for 43 yards and a TD with Jon Hilliger next in line with his four receptions for 49 yards and a score.
Defensively, Ottawa allowed 488 yards with 202 being rush yardage. The squad had four takeaways as they picked off Bethel twice and recovered two more fumbles. John Walker recorded a team-high 14 tackles and was followed by Deron Bruce who tallied eight with one sack and 2.5 tackles for lost yardage. As a team, the Braves logged three sacks and six tackles for a loss.
Behr is completing 68.4% of his passes this season and has racked up 702 yards and eight touchdowns without throwing a single interception. His favorite target seems to be fellow junior college transfer Hilliger who has 19 grabs this year for 221 yards and four TDs. Stangby and Travis Adamson each have 12 receptions this season for over 100 yards. Landy is the team's leading rusher as he's amassed 424 yards on 69 attempts, gaining 6.1 per rush; he has three touchdowns and averages 106 yards a game.
On the other side of the ball, Walker has a team-high 46 tackles with 4.5 being for a loss. Dean Bisterfeldt is second on the list with his 36 tackles, two of which are sacks. Ottawa's leading pass rusher is Bruce who has an NAIA best six total sacks this season. Erik Brown has picked off the opposing passer four times, leading the Braves.
OU is home for their next contest as they play host to the University of Saint Mary on October 12th.
