McPherson, Kansas – The McPherson College football team turned in a dominant performance on both sides of the football Saturday afternoon, rolling past Kansas Wesleyan 41-7 at Brubaker Family Stadium at Paul Family Field.
The Basics
Location: McPherson, Kansas
Records: MC (8-2, 2-2 KCAC), KWU (6-4, 2-2 KCAC)
Score: MC 41, KWU 7
How it Happened
McPherson wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, putting together an impressive 15-play, 87-yard opening drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run from Jalil Brown. The Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead with 6:11 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to build their advantage in the second quarter. Max Younie found the end zone on a nine-yard touchdown run before Santiago Salas added a two-yard rushing score just over two minutes later. Jason Weston added a 44-yard field goal late in the half, sending McPherson into the locker room with a 24-0 advantage.
McPherson picked up right where it left off following the break. After an 80-yard run from Younie helped set up the Bulldogs deep in Kansas Wesleyan territory, the sophomore quarterback finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
The Bulldog defense then delivered one of the biggest plays of the afternoon. Jaylan Davis intercepted a Kansas Wesleyan pass and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown, extending the McPherson lead to 38-0 late in the third quarter.
Weston connected on his second field goal of the afternoon, this time from 46 yards out, to push the advantage to 41-0 in the fourth. Kansas Wesleyan eventually found the end zone with just over three minutes remaining, but the Bulldogs cruised to the 41-7 victory.
McPherson finished the afternoon with 435 yards of total offense, including 165 yards on the ground and 270 through the air. Younie led the Bulldogs’ rushing attack with 128 yards on 13 carries, adding two touchdowns. Ryan Markarian completed 21 of 31 passes for 270 yards, while Brandon McCullough hauled in eight receptions for 101 yards.
Defensively, the Bulldogs held Kansas Wesleyan to just 223 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers. McPherson recorded two interceptions and recovered two fumbles, while Davis’ 72-yard interception return provided the defense’s lone touchdown. Kevin Hasley also recorded an interception, while Malachi Mazzetti and Kenneth Ray each recorded a sack.
The Bulldogs also controlled the third-down battle, converting 10 of 15 attempts compared to just three of 12 for the Coyotes.
