Photo by Andrew Ehling
McPherson, Kan. – It wasn't the prettiest of victories, but the McPherson College football team picked up their fourth win in a row, defeating the Ottawa University Braves at home on Saturday night, 19-17.
For the Bulldogs, who are now 4-3 overall, and 4-2 in KCAC play, their defense has been spectacular all season, and against the Braves on Saturday it was no different. A season ago, the Bulldog defense allowed an average of 505 yards to opposing offenses. This year, that number is down to just a shade under 350 yards per game.
Against the Braves, the defensive unit held the Braves to 311 yards of total offense, 110 on the ground, and 201 through the air. Individually, the Bulldog defense was led by a pair of freshmen,
Zane Hickey (Fr. Decatur, Texas) and
Kaden Tichenor (R-Fr. Holcomb, Kan.). Hickey had nine tackles, three of them solo tackles, and his first career interception, while Tichenor finished with eight tackles, four of each variety, and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog offense was well balanced, racking up 196 rushing yards, and 210 passing. The Mac rushing attack was by committee with five different backs picking up positive yards from scrimmage.
Quashad Washington, (So. Tucson, Ariz.) was the Bulldogs' leading ball carrier, tallying 66 yards on eight carries for an average of just over eight yards per attempt, and his 44 yard run in the second quarter was the longest of the night.
Through the air,
Ed Crouch (Sr. Miami Gardens, Fla.) completed 21 of his 38 attempts and finished with two touchdown passes. Nine different receives caught a pass from Crouch, led by
Eman McNeal (Sr. Aurora, Colo.) who had eight catches for 65 yards and a TD. The other touchdown was a nine yard pass from Crouch to
Tanner Williams (Sr. Fairhope, Ala.) that put the Bulldogs up 13-7 early in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs got on the board first, on Crouch's touchdown pass to McNeal, but the PAT was no good, keeping the score at 6-0. The Braves responded on their next drive with a touchdown of their own and with the extra point good, they retook the lead 7-6. Neither team put up any points in the second quarter so Ottawa remained in the lead heading into the halftime intermission.
In the third quarter, Mac jumped back out in front on Williams' touchdown reception. This time the PAT was good, and the Bulldogs led 13-7. Again the Braves responded, retaking the lead 14-13 with a touchdown on a nine play 64 yard drive. In the fourth quarter, they added to that lead, going up 17-13 with a field goal. The Bulldogs got the ball back with 10:17 on the clock. They went 47 yards, 33 of them coming on a jet sweep by
Terrius Scroggins (Fr. Memphis, Tenn.) on three plays, capped off by a nine yard run by Hill. Again the Bulldogs missed the extra point, keeping the lead at two points, 19-17 and putting the pressure on the defense.
They were up to the task, forcing a three and out on the next Braves offensive possession, and then getting the visitors to turn the ball over on downs in their last possession.
"I'm very proud of our team," said Bulldog head coach
Jeremiah Fiscus. "It's kind of the same old story, the defense plays like their hair is on fire and the offense when it executes it's very effective." He also added, "Our special teams was also improved this week. We have to consistently find ways to be better on the early downs on offense. Overall it's things we can continue to learn from, but I am still very proud of the kids and the way they fight for each other."
Next up for the Bulldogs is a trip Northeast to play the University of St. Mary Spires, who are still searching for their first win in 2019. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Leavenworth, Kansas.
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