Football | 9/28/2014 1:12:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – It was a very inspired Bulldog football squad on Saturday as they celebrated the life of Blake Reed in the annual Blake Reed Mac2Mac Scholarship Game. McPherson got their first win of the season with a 30-24 triumph over Kansas Wesleyan University.
"Tonight was a special night," said Coach Fox. "We've been preaching passion all week and we displayed it out on the field. Trent Forrester's play epitomized what Blake Reed Night is all about."
The fast-paced, high octane offense of Kansas Wesleyan was in full display in the early goings as they pushed the ball down the field with ease on their opening drive, taking a 7-0 lead after an 18 play, 75-yard drive. A fumble by the Bulldogs gave KWU the ball right back and they took that down for three points, getting up 10-0 with five minutes left in the 1st quarter. After a three-and-out, Mac's D got the offense the ball back in good field position and the 'Dogs scored their first points on a Cody Groff to Michael Ramos strike. The Coyotes scored in the first few minutes of the second to go up 17-7 but the Bulldogs took momentum into their locker room as they scored the half's final points after a muffed Kansas Wesleyan punt gave them another opportunity late in the quarter. Miles Balthazor scampered in from 16 yards out to bring the halftime score to 17-14, Kansas Wesleyan.
KWU scored the first seven of the second half but the Bulldogs caught another break as a second fumbled punt return by the Coyotes set the 'Dogs up in good position and Christian Guerra-Barbosa pelted in a 22-yard field goal, bringing their deficit within a touchdown at 24-17. Things got worse for Kansas Wesleyan as on their next possession they had a punt blocked which led to a Cody Groff one-yard TD keeper. The final score came with 2:34 left on the clock as McPherson's Balthazor rumbled over the top of multiple KWU defenders to score from 13 yards out, giving Mac their first lead of the night. A tough defensive effort by the Bulldog D put the ball back in the offenses hands but after being held without a first down, they had to punt and it was again up to the defense to end the game; a fourth-down interception by Kavoderic McIntyre did just that and the Bulldogs got their first win of 2014.
Balthazor stepped up big for McPherson as the freshman tallied 116 yards rushing on 22 carries. Groff threw for 157 yards on 18-of-38 and also added in 52 yards on the ground. Andrew Johnston pulled in six balls for 39 yards and Ste'fon Walker led the 'Dogs in yardage with 50 on his three catches. The offensive unit totaled 325 yards with 168 coming on the ground; the team had 21 first downs and 76 plays.
Trent Forrester was an absolute beast for MC. The senior racked up 24 total tackles, 14 solo; 4.5 of his stops were for a loss and he also recorded 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup. Ashton Serpas had a great night for the Bulldogs as well; he tabulated 12 tackles from his defensive back position and also had two pass deflections. Jimmy Wilson continued being a terror, logging nine total tackles with one being a de-cleating hit in the backfield. McPherson's defense allowed 424 yards to a team that was averaging close to 500 yards a game. The 'Dogs gave up 95 yards rushing and 329 through the air.
Mac will now travel to Ottawa, Kansas to take on the ranked Ottawa Braves next Saturday; kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT) on October 4th.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
