Winfield, Kan. – Having your defense spend over 40 minutes on the field is never a good thing. Unfortunately for MC, it was their defense that spent the majority of the game on the turf and the night ended with the Bulldogs on the wrong end of a 33-7 score line to the home team Southwestern College.
Prior to Saturday's contest, the Moundbuilders were a spread, "run and gun" team. SWC came out with a different look against Mac as they converted into a triple-option squad, catching the 'Dogs by surprise. The McPherson defense adjusted on the fly and allowed an 11-yard field goal and 15-yard TD run, putting them down 10-0 after the opening quarter; Southwestern held the ball for all but five minutes of the opening 15.
In the second, the 'Dogs began moving the ball and had a field goal go wide in the opening minutes. On their next offensive possession, McPherson had a punt blocked, setting SWC up in prime position. Eight plays later and the score sat at 17-0. Southwester added another touchdown before half, making the score at the break 24-0.
Much like in their previous game, the Bulldogs proved to be a second half team. The defense in particular played much better. Dalton Whitfield got MC on the scoreboard with his 57-yard scoop and score off a Southwestern fumble. Unfortunately, the next time the Bulldogs hit the field, the score still at 24-7, they were pinned inside their own five-yard line and gave up a safety to push the score to 26-7. A five-play, 42 yard drive by the Builders on their ensuing possession brought about the final points of the game.
Mac continued to try and crank out some yardage in the fourth quarter and managed to move the ball a bit but they were never able to cross the 50-yard line. As the clock struck zeros, the score sat at 33-7, SWC.
The Bulldog offense totaled 128 yards on the night. They improved their passing game as freshman quarterback Chris Linnin completed 10-of-21 for 59 yards; the Colorado native started the game 7-of-11 throwing the ball. Michael Ramos recorded three receptions for 16 yards. Ste'fon Walker and Zach Boyd each had two grabs apiece. Boyd again led the team in rushing with his 27 yards on 12 carries. DeAvonte Doucet had the best average of the MC backs with his 24 yards on seven attempts.
A special teams highlight for Mac was trackster Perry Joseph. The sprint star had three kick returns for 83 yards and a long of 43. He forced Southwestern to pooch kick the rest of the night after his 43-yard run back.
There were a few bright spots for the Bulldog D but they spent too much time on the field in the 60-minute contest. After allowing nearly 250 first half yards, the team only surrendered 150 in the second despite being on the field for 20+ minutes. Whitfield led McPherson in tackles with his 14. Greg Elvin logged 13 with a team-high five solo stops. Michael Rabara also tallied 13 tackles and was followed by Bradley Campbell who had 12. Braden Bush had an interception in the second quarter and finished the game with seven tackles.
McPherson will host their first KCAC game of the year on Saturday 26th as Bethel College comes to town for the 7:00 p.m. (CT) matchup. The first home conference contest each season is dedicated as the Blake Reed Memorial Game.
Blake Reed served four years as Football Manager for the McPherson High Bullpups and then another four years for the Bulldogs. Blake loved football – high school, college or professional. He also loved people – always saw the good in everyone, and encouraged them to be their best, on and off the field. Thinking like a coach, Blake always wanted McPherson High School Bullpup football players to join the McPherson College Bulldogs. He was a constant recruiter for his Bulldog team.
After a life-long battle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Blake passed away on August 3, 2010, at the age of 22. To create a legacy for Blake's commitment to Bulldog football, his family has established the Blake Reed Mac2Mac Football Scholarship.
The September 26th game will also be "Kids' Appreciation Day" – click here for more information.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
