LINDSBORG, Kan. — The McPherson College Bulldogs snatched their seventh straight win in convincing fashion Saturday (Oct. 26), routing the Bethany College Swedes 59-7 at Coach Ted Kessinger Family Stadium in Lindsborg, Kan.
Tristan Szabo threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, tying former Bulldog great Shane Mascarenas for the most career touchdown passes in McPherson College history. Szabo also moved into second place on the all-time passing yards list, trailing Ed Crouch by just 276 yards.
Jalil Brown carried the ball 11 times for 113 yards, his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game.
The Bulldogs wasted no time putting points on the board, going 64 yards in two plays, capped by a 35-yard pass from Szabo to Kameron Hamid. Then following a quick three-and-out by the Swedes, Brown went 58-yards on the second play of the series to make it a 13-0 Bulldog advantage.
But MC wasn't done just yet in the first quarter when Kirby Lewis picked off Swedes quarterback Dalton Whitworth and returned it 41 yards for the score with 9:41 left in the opening frame.
The Swedes put together a powerful drive late in the opening quarter, behind a strong rushing attack to score their lone touchdown of the day on a 14-yard rush by Malaki Daniels.
But from there it was all Bulldogs, scoring 39 unanswered points over the final three quarters.
The Bulldogs finished with 500 yards of total offense, their most since week three against Saint Mary. Dillion Coleman caught three passes for 93 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bulldogs, and also rushed for a score. Kamryn Brown added 89 yards on three catches and a touchdown.
Defensively the Bulldogs were stout, allowing just 268 yards of total offense, and forcing the Swedes to put six times. MC also finished with four sacks, including a pair by Daryn Stack. Cameron Fouts and Jacob Goad each added one sack. Nehemiah Figueroa picked off his team-leading fourth pass of the season, while Lewis and Xavier Tates each returned, and interception for a score. Tates' pick-six was a 98-yarder for the Bulldogs final score of the afternoon.
Alex Hill caught one pass for a 16-yard touchdown late in the second quarter on a beautiful seam route to make it a 35-7 Bulldog lead with 2:50 to play in the half. The Bulldogs made the Swedes pay early in the second half, following the Figueroa interception, when Szabo found Coleman to tie the record.
MC once again added to their lead with 14:14 left in the game when Osmar Martinez caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Smith.
In the last four games against the Swedes, MC has outscored Bethany 202-13 with two shutouts.
Bethany used three quarterbacks with Trapper Enzor leading the way with 154 yards. Daniels paced the Swedes with 26 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Josiah Hardrick added 25 yards.
The Bulldogs will put their seven-game winning streak on the line next Saturday (Nov. 2) with a trip to Springfield, Mo., to take on No. 20-ranked Evangel.
