Up 31-0, Bulldogs hang on for 31-29 victory

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

For 2 1/2 quarters Saturday, McPherson College's Bulldogs played like the 1952 KCAC championship team that was honored at halftime.

The Bulldogs were making like Don Larson, pitching a perfect game. They were leading Southwestern -- a team they had defeated only once since 1974 -- 31-0 and the Bulldog reserves no doubt thought they were going to see about a quarter of action.

Little was thought of when the Moundbuilders connected on a long touchdown pass midway through the third quarter to make it 31-7. And when James Kelly broke off a 91-yard scoring run four minutes later, the Bulldogs still were up 31-15.

But early in the fourth quarter, the Builders got the Bulldogs' attention with another touchdown to make it 31-22, and with just under five minutes to go, full-out panic practically set in when the Builders scored on their fourth straight possession to pull within 31-29, sending a feeling of sickness through the large homecoming crowd.

The seemingly impossible comeback looked to be a reality, as the Moundbuilders took over with 2:44 to go, the ball at midfield and a gale-like wind at their backs, needing only a field goal to win.

But on a weekend that was simply too special for the Bulldogs to lose, Brian Glover came up with an interception, and Mac was able to hold on for the two-point victory.

Mac coach David Cunningham wanted to enjoy the victory -- which raised the Bulldogs to 2-2 in the KCAC and 3-2 overall -- but he, like his players, knew just what would have happened if the Moundbuilders had completed the comeback.

"We played about as well as we can for almost three quarters," he said. "I think we were focused at halftime at not letting up, and I don't think we did. You're thinking 31-0 and there's no way they could come back. But I give them a lot of credit and I credit our guys for hanging in there and winning."

Mac had built a 21-0 halftime lead on a pair of slotback reverse runs of 32 and 48 yards by Darrell Cole and a 1-yard run by Erik Johnson. Mac then scored on its first possession of the second half on a 1-yard run by Kevin Steiner, and Zia Gunay's 38-field goal midway through the third quarter made it 31-0. Then Southwestern started its comeback and what should have been a laugher turned into a nailbiter.

The victory may have been costly. Steiner, who had 112 yards on 28 carries, injured his rib and back area late in the game and his status is questionable.

Cole stepped up big for the Bulldogs with 123 yards on just 7 carries, part of a 292-yard effort by the Mac ground game. Southwestern, which had only 129 yards at the half, tore holes in the injury-depleted Mac defense in the second half to finish with 408, 120 by Kelly on just 8 carries.

"I told our guys that some of the best lessons you can learn is when you win and you can make corrections off that," Cunningham said.

Cunningham said two areas he was especially pleased with were the offensive line and special teams.

"I was really proud of those guys. They played great," he said of the offensive line. "They're the ones who often get a lot of the criticism, but they really stepped up."

And the special teams, which cost the team a victory last week, played well, as Gunay was 4 for 4 and had a field goal, while Tim Binfet had a couple of key punts into the wind.

Mac is home again next week to play winless Sterling, though the Warriors put a scare into Ottawa for a while Saturday before losing, 42-20.

STATISTICS

Mac Listed First

First Downs -- 13, 21. Rushes-Yards -- 54-292; 48-214. Passing -- 4-15-0-41; 12-30-1-190. Punts-Avg. -- 6-30.6; 3-25.3. Fumbles-Lost -- 0-0; 4-2. Penalties-Yards -- 7-55; 7-61.

INDIVIDUALS

Rushing

Mac - Steiner 28-112, Cole 7-123, Gamez 5-37, Mireles 1-7, Griggs 1-0, Johnson 12-13.

Southwestern (top two) -- Kelly 8-120, White 9-35.

Passing

Mac -- Johnson 4-15-0-41.

Southwestern -- Smith 12-30-1-190.

Receiving

Mac -- Steiner 2-27, Irvine 1-8, Berlanga 1-6.

Southwestern (top two) -- Seeley 4-60, Maguire 4-58.