Bulldogs move record to 5-3, win 41-6

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

The giveaway-takeaway ratio generally is a good barometer as to how a football game will turn out.

On Saturday at sloppy McPherson College Stadium, the host Bulldogs had a huge plus advantage in that department.

So it's no wonder they also had a huge advantage on the scoreboard.

Friends turned the ball over eight times to zip for Mac -- that's right, zero in the horrendous conditions -- which led the Bulldogs to a whopping 41-6 victory, their first over the Falcons here since 1988.

The victory also assured the Bulldogs of at least a .500 season. They are 4-3 in the KCAC and 5-3 overall with two games remaining. Also, they have moved into a five-way for third, a game out of second.

Conditions were horrendous, as a steady overnight rain turned the field into a quagmire, and a mist fell throughout the game.

But the Bulldogs were like pigs loving the slop, while the Falcons played as though they were trying to keep their jerseys clean.

"We were ready to play," said Mac coach David Cunningham, who said while most teams were inside practicing during the week, his team was outside, even in pads on Thursday. "Sometimes when you get late in the season when the weather is like this, some teams aren't as ready to play. I felt we were ready. We value taking care of the football and except for last week, we have."

The tone was set on the third play of the game when Travis Sears forced and recovered a fumble, which Nick Griggs turned into a touchdown on the next play for Mac, as he raced 47 yards.

"I thought he was stopped. I was looking down at my call sheet and then looked up and saw Nick in the end zone," Cunningham said.

Before the half was over, Friends turned it over five times and the Bulldogs took advantage for a 34-0 lead.

Erik Johnson made two amazing runs for touchdowns, covering 19 and 76 yards, which made it 21-0. Johnson added his third score of the half on a short run and the final first-half score was a 7-yard dash by Kevin Steiner.

Steiner had the final Mac touchdown on a 25-yard run, steamrolling a Falcon defender who got in his way.

Friends averted the shutout Mac defensive coordinator Bill Minard desperately wanted, scoring midway through the fourth quarter.

"We didn't know which Friends team was going to show up," Cunningham said. "They've been inconsistent. When they've been good, they've been very good."

Mac, the top rushing team in the KCAC, did nothing to hurt its average with 303 yards, 106 by Johnson and 99 by Steiner. The Bulldog defense permitted only 261 total yards, just 31 through the air.

Sears, who has been playing at an All-American level, had two fumble recoveries to lead the defense, while Dallas Blacklock had an INT and a fumble recovery. Matt Holtry, Brandon Kelm and Matt Tobias all added interceptions.

Mac is back home Saturday to play Ottawa. The Bulldogs are 5-0 at home this year.

STATISTICS

Mac Listed First

First Downs -- 12, 10. Rushes-Yards -- 50-303; 44-230. Passing -- 7-14-0-53; 5-16-4-31. Punts-Avg. -- 7-30.3; 6-27.3. Fumbles-Lost -- 0-0; 7-4. Penalties-Yards -- 4-40; 5-33.

INDIVIDUALS

Rushing

Mac -- Johnson 7-106, Steiner 19-99, Griggs 7-60, Cole 4-10, Ladd 2-0, Trevino 1-2, Dufrane 3-5, Boatner 4-9, Mireles 2-13, Binfet 1-1.

Friends (top two) -- Jenkins 22-93, Garcia 9-85.

Passing

Mac -- Johnson 4-11-0-36, J. Bingham 3-3-0-17.

Friends -- Jenkins 4-12-3-27, Cleary 1-4-1-1-4.

Receiving

Mac -- Holtry 4-14, Berlanga 1-26, Long 1-10, Griggs 1-3.

Friends -- Labus 3-21, Milton 1-7, Wallis 1-2.