McPherson, Kan. – Braden Bush highlighted an otherwise rough night for MC football as the sophomore free safety recorded three interceptions against Kansas Wesleyan, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for Mac, that was their lone score of the night as the Coyotes won 48-7.
"We are still a young team that needs some maturity, and you can't make that," said Coach Mierkiewicz. "We are getting into situations that we can learn from. I still really like this team and know that we can grow."
On Homecoming and the Graves Family Sports Complex's inauguration, KWU came out fired up and took the opening possession in for a score. McPherson fumbled on the ensuing possession setting up the Coyotes again. Kansas Wesleyan fumbled on the 1-yard line but was able to get the ball back shortly thereafter and scored again, making it 13-0 after one quarter.
In the second, after allowing a touchdown early, the Bulldog defense stepped up. The team forced a three-and-out and then on their next chance, Bush intercepted KWU and returned it to the 29-yard line. Next time up, Michael Rabara forced and recovered a fumble at the Coyote 25. Following a missed field goal by the Bulldogs, Bush grabbed his second pick of the night and brought it back 15 yards. On the fringe of the red zone, MC quarterback Chris Linnin threw his second interception of the night, ending the first half.
Bush picked off his third pass of the night midway through the third quarter and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 35-7. McPherson's kickoff was returned to the house giving KWU another seven-point cushion.
The Bulldogs put together a 13-play drive from their own 27-yard line on their next possession but it was cut short by a red zone interception. Mac again moved the ball well on their final possession of the game, 15 plays 41 yards with a roughing the kicker penalty, but the clock stuck 00:00 to end both the drive and the game.
MC tallied 15 first downs in the game and totaled 233 yards; they also led in time of possession at 38:24. 54 yards of offense came on the ground and the 'Dogs were led by Ryan Lakso who had 37 on 14 attempts. DeAvonte Doucet tallied 24 on 12 carries. Linnin threw for 140 yards, going 13-of-24 with a long of 32 yards. Michael Ramos pulled in four balls for 46 yards and also completed a pass for 28 yards. Ste'fon Walker, Justin Fagan, and Tim Jones each had a pair of receptions.
The Coyote offense was tough to stop as they put up 585 yards on 67 plays. Alwin Crawford led the Mac in tackles with nine, seven solo. Bush added eight total tackles to go along with his three interceptions for 114 yards. Rabara tallied seven tackles as did Dalton Whitfield; Whitfield had six solo stops to Rabara's five.
It's Homecoming for McPherson next weekend as they host Ottawa University on October 10th at 2:00 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
