McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — The (RV) McPherson College Bulldogs fell for the first time since week one, dropping a hard-fought battle to No. 20-ranked Friends University 36-35 at McPherson Stadium. The loss snaps an eight-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs finished with 412 yards of offense, including 230 yards passing. Szabo, MC’s new all-time leading passer, completed 12 of his 23 pass attempts and threw three touchdowns. Reigning KCAC Offensive Player of the Week Jalil Brown finished with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while also catching six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Friends wasted no time putting points on the board, scoring just four plays into the game on a 68-yard run by Kaden Rigsby. However, Brown answered on the Bulldogs second play from scrimmage, racing 72 yards for the score.
The Falcons regained the lead late in the first quarter with a pair of touchdowns one by Rigsby and one by K’Vonte Baker. Friends seemed to be in complete control, but the Bulldogs began to cut into the lead setup by a pair of passes from Szabo to Harley Blaske and Brown. Brown finished off the 10-play, 83-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown.
MC forced the Falcons into a three-and-out, then pushed ahead 21-20, thanks to a 22-yard touchdown pass to Brown. The Bulldogs defense again got off the field, this time due to a fumble by Baker, and made them pay six plays later, when Szabo found Dillion Coleman from 14-yards out. The Falcons closed the gap with 25 seconds to play in the half, drilling a 29-yard field goal and pulling within 28-23.
The Falcons first pass attempt of the game was a successful one, when Jett Cheatham found Caden Lee for a 25-yard score. But again, the Bulldogs had an answer, scoring late in the third quarter when Szabo again found Coleman who took it 70 yards for the touchdown.
However, that would be all the scoring for MC. The Falcons took the lead after a 12-play, 80-yard drive that took 6:42 off the clock, capped by a touchdown by Nick Cordova. The Bulldogs had one last shot, but were unable to convert on fourth down.
Friends gained 426 yards of total offense, and a staggering 359 yards rushing. Baker led the Falcons with 118 yards and a touchdown. Friends melted big chunks of time off the clock, finishing with nearly double the time of possession of the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Nov. 16) at McPherson Stadium, when they play host to Southwestern College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
