Lindsborg, Kan – On a windy Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs made the short trip up north to face the Swedes of Bethany College. McPherson's had been firing on all cylinders in their first five games of the year, outscoring their opponents 221-59. Bethany came into the contest following a harsh 80-14 loss to Southwestern on September 27
th.
The Basics
Location: Coach Ted Kessinger Family Stadium
Score: MC 37, BC 13
Records: MC 6-0, BC 2-4
How it Happened
The Bulldogs kicked off into the strong wind to begin the game and forced an opening punt from Luis Gonzalez to get their high-caliber offense on the field for their opening possession. What appeared to be a strong march downfield into the redzone ended in disaster as a high snap over quarterback
Ryan Markarian's head resulted in a Bethany recovery at their own 14-yard line. The defense maintained their poise and forced another three-and-out on a short drive highlighted by a combined sack between
Michael Kuntz and Josh Ferguson; however, on McPherson's first play of the drive, Markarian had been stripped of the ball by Bethany's Kamorion Carter and was recovered by the Swedes in great field position. The Swedes were able to capitalize on the turnover as Gonzalez's 46-yard field goal, accompanied with the tailwind, split the uprights giving Bethany a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, McPherson got on the board as
Ryan Markarian's pass to
Kaden Millinder connected for 26 yards, putting the Bulldogs ahead 7-3. The Swedes matched McPherson's touchdown through the air with one of their own on the ensuing drive; Jessie Caver III threw a deep ball into the wind and found Daniel Smith in the endzone from 27 yards out to take back the lead at 10-7. The Bulldogs carried success from their previous drive onto the next as Markarian found
Jamai Rutherford for the 31-yard receiving touchdown to take back the lead at 14-10 in the closing stages of the first half.
The second half featured a continuous air raid attack from the Bulldogs as Markarian found his third score of the game, connecting with
Jamai Rutherford for 20 yards and a score to take a 21-10 lead. Following another Bethany field goal, the Californian threw for his fourth touchdown as
Kaden Millinder caught a pass on a 3
rd and 7 from Bethany's 49-yard line and ran the distance for the 27-13 lead. In the closing stages of the quarter, Markarian threw for his fifth score as
Traie Buhler caught a deep ball and broke his way through the Bethany secondary, scoring from 40 yards out for the 34-13 advantage.
Tradarrious Coleman stole an extra possession for the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter on a leaping grab for an interception in Bethany territory, resulting in a
Jack Finder field goal from 36 yards away that extended McPherson's lead to 37-13. With too little time left for the Swedes, it was the Bulldogs walking out of Coach Ted Kessinger Family Stadium with their sixth consecutive victory of the campaign.
Up Next
Following the upcoming bye week, the Bulldogs will head to Wichita, Kansas on October 18th to take on nationally ranked Friends University; kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.
