Bulldogs escape with overtime win

McPherson College's Matt Holtry celebrates after scoring a touchdown Saturday.

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

All game, McPherson College's defense had bailed out the offense.

But in overtime Saturday night against Haskell Indian Nations University, the offense returned the favor.

Erik Johnson scored on a 4-yard run and Zia Gunay made the PAT to give the Bulldogs an exciting 24-23 victory, giving David Cunningham a victory in his Mac head coaching debut.

The victory, however, came with a terrible price. Sophomore quarterback Wade Pederson, who threw for just under 2,000 yards last year, probably was lost for the season on the fifth play of the game when he tore his ACL while planting to make a cut. Pederson said the injury occurred before he was even hit, as he felt something pop when he made his plant.

Also, defensive mainstay Matt Holtry injured his hamstring and his status for Sept. 21's game at home against Bethel is questionable. Holtry had gotten Mac on the board in the second quarter when he picked up a fumble on the Haskell 1 and stepped over the line for the score.

All in all, though, Cunningham was relieved to get a win against a Haskell team that appeared to be light-years better than last year.

"I've been at places where, for whatever reason, we haven't had a lot of success," he said. "I'll take the win, no matter what happened."

The Bulldogs trailed 10-7 at the half before going up 14-10 early in the third quarter on 14-yard pass from Johnson to John Berlanga. Five minutes later, Martin Woods -- who had scored Haskell's first-half touchdown on a 48-yard punt return -- took a short Mac punt and returned it 32 yards to the Bulldog 8, and the Indians scored on a 2-yard run by Peter Hahn.

Gunay's 26-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter tied the game at 17-all, which is where the teams stood going into overtime.

Haskell got the ball first and after having not made a single first down in the second half, it managed to score on a 2-yard run by Nick Wade, set up by a controversial pass interference call. But the snap was bobbled on the extra point, leaving the score at 23-17.

The Bulldogs were down to their last play after netting only six yards in three plays. But Johnson hooked up for 14 yards with Robert Ullom to move the ball to the 5.

"I was so happy it was Robert who made that catch," Cunningham said. "That's typical Robert Ullom. He does whatever we ask of him and doesn't say much."

After two plays made just a yard, Johnson faked to workhorse tailback Kevin Steiner and kept the ball on the option, sliding into the end zone. Gunay's kick was perfect and the Bulldogs escaped.

"I didn't want to run too much with Erik because I didn't want to take a chance on getting him hurt," Cunningham said.

Steiner finished with 150 yards on 34 carries. "I wanted to use Nick Griggs more, but Kevin is just so darn dependable," Cunningham said.

Cunningham also was pleased with Johnson, who was put in a tough position.

"I really think it took us a quarter to recover from Wade's injury," Cunningham said. "He's the guy who's been through the competition and he's our leader. I don't want to make excuses, but it really did take the wind out of our sails for a while."

The real story, though, was the Mac defense. Haskell managed only 74 yards of total offense, just 24 passing against the revamped and improved Mac secondary.

Thankfully, Mac has this weekend off before playing Bethel. Cunningham said the open date couldn't have come at a better time, as players who were nicked up can heal.

STATS

Mac Listed First

First Downs -- 12, 7. Rushes-Yards -- 49-180; 42-50. Passing -- 11-24-2-91; 4-13-0-24. Punts-Avg. -- 8-30.2; 8-36.6. Fumbles-Lost -- 0-0; 4-3. Penalties-Yards -- 14-108; 12-95.

INDIVIDUALS

Rushing

Mac -- Steiner 34-150, Griggs 2-15, Johnson 9-11, Gamez 1-4, Mireles 1-2, Ladd 1-1, Pederson 1-3.

Haskell -- Top two -- Hahn 19-47, Wade 9-32.

Passing

Mac -- Johnson 11-23-2-91.

Haskell -- Muniz 4-13-0-24.

Receiving

Mac -- Mireles 4-28, Berlanga 3-30, Cole 2-17, Ullom 1-13, Ladd 1-3.

Haskell -- Anderson 2-13, Favre 1-6, Wilson 1-5.