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McPherson, Kan. – It's the final game of the season for Bulldog football on Saturday, November 15. Senior Day will be against Southwestern College at 1:30 p.m. (CT) at McPherson Stadium. The temperature is to be quite chilly so be sure to bundle up in red!
Please bring non-perishable food items to the football game to help the McPherson College Pre-Health Professions Club support the McPherson County Food Bank
MC took on their inter-county rival Bethany College last week in McPherson. The opening quarter was very eventful and exciting to watch even though neither team scored any points. Mac intercepted the Swedes on Bethany's first play and a few series later, Ashton Serpas blocked a field goal attempt. BC recorded two takeaways themselves and midway through the second quarter, scored the game's first touchdown. Following a 32-yard fumble return, McPherson evened the game up at 7-7 just before the halftime whistle.
In the third, a miscommunication in the MC secondary led to a 76-yard touchdown pass and catch for the Swedes to put them on top 14-7. The final quarter was played mostly in 'Dog territory as the McPherson offense struggled to move the ball. Bethany held the ball just enough in the game's final minutes to secure their 14-7 win.
The Bulldogs ran the ball 41 times for 180 total yards which accounted for most of their 259 total yardage. Kelly Cordova ran for a net 88 yards on 11 tries to lead the way; he threw for 74 on 8-of-17 and two interceptions. Dalton Whitfield tallied 58 on his 14 carries with a long of 24; on defense, the linebacker also had four total tackles, two were for a loss and one was a sack. Cody Groff returned to the MC lineup for a couple of series; he was 1-of-5 for five yards and also had four carries for two total yards. Michael Ramos gobbled up six passes for 47 yards to lead the team.
Defensively, McPherson held Bethany to 261 total yards and 76 came on one play. The Swedes averaged just 2.0 yards per rush and completed seven passes. Trent Forrester recorded 11 total tackles with five being solo stops. Trea Lott and Ryan Duggan each logged six tackles. Serpas ended the game with five tackles, an interception, pass breakup, and the blocked field goal.
Bulldogs in the Rankings: The MC defense has moved up to No. 9 in the NAIA in opponent third down conversion percentage at 28.7%. The team is also 15th in PAT kicking percentage at 95.5%. Jimmy Wilson sits 11th in total tackles for a loss at 17.5 and 15th in both tackles for a loss per game at 1.8 and forced fumbles per contest at 0.3; Matt Wagner is also 15th in forced fumbles a night.
Scouting Southwestern
The Moundbuilders have just one win on the year but it was a big one as they knocked off the then-No. 3 Tabor College Bluejays 27-6 back in early October. The team has lost a handful of games by under a touchdown head into Saturday's bout following a 24-16 defeat to Sterling College.
In their matchup with the Warriors, Southwestern led 9-0 at halftime and appeared to be sitting pretty. Sterling then scored 24 unanswered points to go up 24-9 with 12 minutes left in the game. SWC put seven more on the board on their next possession but were held scoreless for the rest of the contest, losing 25-16.
The Builders outgained SC 339-to-342 with 222 yards coming on the ground for Southwestern; the offense turned the ball over three times. Anthony Sims rushed for a team-high 117 yards on 28 carries; he was responsible for the late touchdown. Woodley Fenelon took the ball six times for 58 yards putting him second on the team. The Moundbuilders used a two quarterback system with Braden Langston recording the most yards, 3-of-9 for 71 and a touchdown; the sophomore also had one interception. Tyler Crandall was 4-of-11 for 46 yards and a pick. Skylor Kistler led the team in receptions and yards with two and 76, respectively.
On defense, SWC gave up just 49 yards passing but 275 rushing. They forced four takeaways with three being fumbles. Jessup Bliven led the Builders with his 12 tackles, split evenly between unassisted and assisted. Eric Walker, Alec Roberts, and Paul Mata each tabbed 10 tackles; both Mata and Roberts were responsible for a forced fumble.
This year the offense nets 275 yards an outing decently split between running and passing. They have been outscored 150-329 with a pair of blowouts obscuring the numbers a bit. Sims has run for 712 yards on a team-high 164 carries for an average of 71.2 yards; he is responsible for six touchdowns. Crandall has been the main quarterback of the Moundbuilders. The junior has thrown 241 times, completing just 86 for a 35.7 percentage; he has 15 interceptions and six touchdowns in his 10 games played. Langston is 19-of-52 this season for 239 yards, three picks and two scores. Kistler is the go-to guy for the QBs with his 42 recptions for 660 yards and seven TDs. CJ Marple is second on the list with 16 grabs for 148 yards.
Defensively, SWC gives up over 400 yards a game with the bulk coming on the ground. Walker leads the team with a solid 135 total tackles, 75 being solo stops; he has 18.5 tackles for a loss and a team-high 3.5 sacks. Mata is second on the list with 99 tackles including 5.5 for a loss. Shayne Hummer leads SWC in interceptions with three.
