Football | 9/13/2014 10:44:00 PM
Box Score Olathe, Kan. – After a first 30 minutes that led to over 300 yards of offense for MidAmerica Nazarene, McPherson found their groove in the second, holding the Pioneers to under 150 while gaining over 200 themselves. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs' comeback fell just short as they lost 34-28 on Saturday.
"I am proud of the effort and fight we gave in the second half," said Coach Fox. "We grew up as a team and I'm excited to see where we go from here. We fought a quality opponent toe-to-toe until the end and that's exactly what we've wanted to see as a coaching staff. Now we have to put that together for 60 minutes each Saturday."
JT Levenseller made his McPherson debut known as the quarterback threw a 65-yard touchdown pass on his first attempt of the game. The TD tied the game up as MNU scored on their first drive on the contest. For the rest of the half, the Bulldogs offense was only able to muster up 45 yards on 23 plays throughout six drives; five of the drives ended in punts while the sixth was stopped short by a fumble.
Trailing 31-7 midway through the third quarter, McPherson began their comeback, scoring their second touchdown as Terrance Jones rumbled in from three yards out. After a pair of turnovers started the fourth, MidAmerica scored their final points of the night on a 34-yard field goal. The Bulldogs took the ensuing kickoff down the field for another three-yard touchdown by Jones to pull within 13. As just five minutes remained in the game, Mac kicked and recovered an onside kick. Eight plays later and MC was down just six after a Levenseller to Andrew Johnston TD pass and catch. Another onside kick was attempted by the 'Dogs but unfortunately they did not recover this one and despite their greatest efforts, McPherson's defense could not stop MNU as a fourth down conversion ended the game in the Pioneers' favor 34-28.
Levenseller ended the night going 10-of-26 for 221 yards with two touchdowns and an interception; the quarterback also rushed for a net 57 yards on 12 attempts. Leading the team on the ground was Jones who ran for 64 yards and those two scores. Johnston, a sophomore wideout, brought in a team-high four receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. Ste'fon Walker led the 'Dogs in receiving yards with his 86 on just two grabs.
After rebounding in the second half, McPherson ended the night giving up 467 total yards with 235 coming on the ground and 232 through the air. Trenton Forrester recorded a team leading 12 tackles with nine being solo stops. Ashton Serpas racked up nine tackles and Jimmy Wilson followed up his brilliant first week performance with five stops including two tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.
It's now conference time for the Bulldogs; the team kicks of the KCAC season in North Newton, Kansas as they face the Bethel College Threshers on September 20th at 7:00 p.m. (CT)
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
