McPHERSON, Kan. — The University of Saint Mary Spires scored on a nine-yard pass to Alejandro Martinez-Loera with 1:24 left in the contest to grab a 36-32 lead, then made a late stand Saturday (Sep. 9) to knock off the McPherson College Bulldogs at Paul Family Field at McPherson Stadium.
Tristan Szabo gave the Bulldogs a chance, leading a 12-play 62-yard drive, before a pass to Tyson Bochert at the goal-line was broken up.
The Spires raced out to a 12-0 advantage, but 17 straight points, including a pair of touchdowns on nearly the same reverse play, one to Alex Hill and one to Bochert just before halftime.
A 10-yard pass from the Spires quarterback Shane Bishop to Davien Norman was the lone score in the third quarter, then a 36-yard field goal put USM on top 22-17 with 12:58 remaining in the game.
Brysen Kerby helped the Bulldogs regain the lead with a three-yard score that capped an 11-play drive, then another reverse play, this time to Kamryn Brown made it a 25-22 Bulldog advantage.
The Spires answered just over two minutes later with a touchdown pass to Michael Gazzana, but again the Bulldogs grabbed a three-point advantage, thanks to a 59-yard pass Szabo to Bochert.
Jalil Brown led the Bulldogs backfield with nine carries for 105, while Bochert caught six passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Szabo finished with 281 yards and a touchdown, but had a pair of costly interceptions.
Gazzana had nine catches for the Spires totaling a game-high 175 and two touchdowns, while Raymond Webster led the way with 22 carries for 157 yards and a score.
The Spires had 506 yards of total offense, and finished 11-for-16 on third down.
The Bulldogs will hit the road next week to take on Ottawa. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
