Football | 9/21/2014 12:22:00 AM
Box Score North Newton, Kan. – After hours of delays due to rain and lightning, McPherson football lost an ugly battle 13-0 to Bethel College. Bulldogs allowed just 200 yards to the Thresher offense but couldn't get things going for themselves, accruing less than 250 yards. The 'Dogs are still looking for their first win of the 2014 season.
Cody Groff got the call under center for Mac as last week's starter JT Levenseller was out due to illness.
Following the first 10+ minutes of the game, things had to be paused due to heavy rain and lightning; Bethel scored on a touchdown pass midway through the first to give them a 7-0 advantage prior to the postponement. Close to two hours later, the contest was resumed. Both teams struggled to move the ball the rest of the half and the two squads headed into their locker rooms with the score still at 7-0 in favor of Bethel.
The second half brought more of the same for both clubs; each team put a few plays together but neither was really able to get into scoring range. McPherson had a chance in the early goings of the fourth quarter but their field goal attempt went wide. A little while later and Bethel saw their field goal try go off one of the uprights allowing Mac yet another chance to move down the field to tie it up. The 'Dogs had their drive cut short via an interception and the Threshers then drove the short field for their second touchdown of the night. On what turned into their final drive for McPherson, they passed their way into the redzone but another pick ended the game for the 'Dogs as BC ran out the rest of the clock, holding on to their 13-0 victory.
Game stats were not available at the time this article was posted.
The Bulldogs will have their first home contest of the year next Saturday the 27th as they host the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes at 7:00 p.m. (CT). It is the annual Blake Reed Memorial Game for McPherson. Blake Reed was an inspirational leader and manager for four years at McPherson High School before committing his time to the McPherson College football program. Blake had a tremendous love for the game of football and it showed in his devotion to his teams. Whether practice was at 5 a.m. or 10 p.m., hot or cold, rain or shine, Blake was there.
In Blake's honor, a special committee established the Blake Reed Mac2Mac Football Scholarship with the intention of benefitting a McPherson High School Bullpup football player or a McPherson College football player who exemplifies the character of Blake Reed and is pursuing a degree from McPherson College. In a special event at halftime of Saturday's game, the committee will present the scholarship to a member of the McPherson football family.
Additionally, scholarship donations will be accepted at the gate and throughout the game, t-shirts will also be sold. All proceeds of t-shirt sales go directly into the scholarship fund.
For additional information about the scholarship, please contact the McPherson College Advancement office at 620-242-0400.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
