LINCOLN, Neb. --- The McPherson College football team saw a fourth-quarter rally fall just short as Nebraska Wesleyan University escaped with a 34-29 win Saturday at Abel Stadium. It was the 2016 season opener for both teams.
Tied at 17 at halftime, the host Prairie Wolves scored 17 unanswered points to open the second half behind two third-quarter touchdowns and a fourth-quarter field goal. The Bulldogs scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut into the advantage, but NWU converted two late first downs to run out the clock and seal the victory.
McPherson got off to a solid start, going 75 yards on the game's opening drive and taking a 7-0 lead when Ed Crouch connected with Tyrone Campbell on a five-yard scoring strike. The Bulldogs' defense held the Prairie Wolves on their opening possession only to give the ball back deep in their own territory on a fumbled punt. On the next play, NWU running back Joel Wiedel scored from four yards out to even the score.
Nebraska Wesleyan grabbed a 10-7 lead on a Kramer Rath 33-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter, but McPherson answered back with a 34-yarder from Caleb Contreras.
Both teams added 1-yard touchdown runs in the second quarter as Sawyer Kean scored for the Prairie Wolves and Campbell scored his second TD of the game for the Bulldogs.
NWU took the second half kickoff and drove 64 yards in nine plays to take the lead on a 1-yard run by Wiedel. Wiedel accounted for all but five yards on the drive – 47 on the ground and 12 on a reception from Ben Green. McPherson fumbled on the second play of its next drive to give the Prairie Wolves the ball deep in Bulldog territory.
Green connected with Ryan Schneider on a 21-yard touchdown pass just three plays later to push the NWU lead to two touchdowns. The Bulldogs responded with a big drive, marching 61 yards on 14 plays only to see their chance to cut into the lead evaporate inside the NWU 10-yard line with their third lost fumble of the day.
Nebraska Wesleyan took advantage of the McPherson miscue, driving 73 yards while taking over six minutes off the clock before Rath made it 34-17 with a 20-yard field goal with 12:21 to play.
The Bulldogs rallied late as Zack Melius scored on a 9-yard touchdown run to cap an 11-play drive and Jackson Goodmiller caught a 16-yard strike from Crouch with 3:08 left on the clock.
McPherson went for two after both scores but came up empty both times to leave the Bulldogs trailing by five at 34-29.
The Prairie Wolves took the ensuing kickoff and converted a pair of first downs to run out the clock.
McPherson outgained Nebraska Wesleyan, 409-355, in total offense with 210 through the air and 199 on the ground.
Ed Crouch finished 11-of-19 for 210 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in a Bulldog uniform. He also added 56 yards on 15 carries. Tyrone Campbell was McPherson's top rusher with 78 yards on 20 carries and a score. He also caught two passes for 15 yards and another score. Zach Melius rushed 11 times for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Eman McNeal hauled in two passes for a game-high 77 receiving yards, while Jackson Goodmiller led all receivers with four catches for 49 yards. Goodmiller also returned a pair of kickoffs for 22 yards.
Wiedel was the workhorse for NWU, gaining 183 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. He also caught two passes for 21 yards and 94 return yards, including a 52-yard kick return.
Ben Green was 13-of-22 through the air for 142 yards and a touchdown. He also added 30 yards on seven carries. Trevor McKeown was his favorite receiver with three catches for 25 yards.
Ashton Serpas led McPherson with a game-high 14 tackles, including 13 solo stops. Travis Steenson added 12 tackles (eight solo) and one pass break-up.
Preston Franzen had 11 total tackles (nine solo) with a pair of tackles for loss and a fumble recovery to lead NWU defensively.
McPherson goes back on the road next Saturday when it travels to Sioux Center, Iowa to face Dordt College. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Open Space Park.
