| 2002 Players of
the Week
Lanning Named KCAC Defensive Player
of the Week
 |
| Lucus Lanning |
| Junior |
| Cherryvale, KS |
Lucus Lanning, McPherson College junior defensive back from Cherryvale,
Kans, was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference)
“Defensive Player of the Week” for his play in the Bulldogs’
20-18 win over Ottawa University on November 9, 2002. A 2000 graduate
of Cherryvale High School, Lanning intercepted an Ottawa pass at
the goal line with just over 6 minutes remaining in the game and
returned it 22 yards, blunting the Ottawa threat with McPherson
leading 20-18. Lanning finished the day with 18 tackles (12 unassisted
and six assists) plus forced one fumble from his free safety position.
Lanning found himself as the final defender several times against
the Braves, but made the tackle and prevented possible Brave touchdowns.
“When we recruited Lucus, we were looking for a defensive
back out of the Jayhawk (Junior College) Conference,” said
McPherson College head coach David Cunningham. “Having played
and practiced against good people like he did every day at that
level, he brought skills and an intensity to our program that have
been invaluable.
“Lucus is so game savvy. He’s always around the ball.
Plus, he’s a Kansas kid. Those were all ingredients we were
looking for when we started recruiting last fall,” added Cunningham.
Entering this week’s season finale, Lanning ranks as McPherson’s
third leading tackler with 70 tackles (34 unassisted and 36 assists),
trailing by three McPherson’s co-team leaders, each with 73.
In addition, Lanning has forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles,
had two tackles for losses, and broken up three passes.
Lanning joined the McPherson College program this fall after spending
the previous two years at Independence Community College, Independence,
Kans. A two-time all-state player at Cherryvale High as a junior
and senior, and three-time All-Tri-Valley League, Lanning was named
the Class 3A defensive player of the year following his senior season.
Lucus is the son of David and Cathy Lanning of Cherryvale, and
is majoring in education.
Lanning is the fourth Bulldog to garner KCAC “Player of the
Week” honors in 2002, joining running back Kevin Steiner (Lincolnville,
Kans.) and Matt Holtry (Boise, Idaho), who were named for their
offensive and defensive play, respectively, in the Bulldogs’
season opening 24-23 overtime, win over Haskell Indian Nations University
of Lawrence, Kans., and Erik Johnson, sophomore quarterback (Caldwell,
Idaho), who received the honor after leading McPherson to its 41-6
win over Friends University on November 2, 2002.
Johnson Named KCAC Offensive Player of
the Week
 |
| Erik Johnson |
| Sophomore |
| Caldwell, Idaho |
Erik Johnson, McPherson College sophomore quarterback from Caldwell,
Idaho was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference)
“Offensive Player of the Week” for his play in the Bulldogs’
41-6 win over Friends University, which entered the contest tied
for second in the KCAC race. Johnson ran for 106 yards and three
touchdowns on just 7 carries and passed for another 36 yards in
the mud and drizzle as the Bulldogs improved their record to 5-3
and moved into a tie for third in conference standings. Johnson
directed 5 McPherson first half scoring drives in the Bulldogs’
eight possessions as the home standing Bulldogs led 34-0 at the
halftime break. Johnson scored on first half runs of 19 yards, 75
yards, and 1 yard in leading McPherson to its first home win over
Friends since 1988. The 75-yard run was the second longest run from
scrimmage by a Bulldog in 2002.
“Erik is such a competitor,” said McPherson College
head coach David Cunningham. “He has the ability to make things
happen. Erik has the ability to get out of situations. He has turned
what appeared to be sacks into big plays for us over and over. He
is so athletic”
“Erik is such a positive leader, not just on the field, but
around campus,” Cunningham added.
A 6’0”, 200-pound education major, Johnson has rushed
for 324 yards and thrown for 814 yards in leading McPherson to a
5-3 season record. The Bulldogs’ leading scorer with 11 touchdowns,
Johnson transferred to McPherson College from Idaho State University
in the spring of 2002 after an all-state career at Vallivue High.
Johnson is the third Bulldog to garner KCAC “Player of the
Week” honors in 2002, joining running back Kevin Steiner (Lincolnville,
Kans.) and Matt Holtry (Boise, Idaho), who were named for their
offensive and defensive play, respectively, in the Bulldogs’
season opening win over Haskell Indian Nations University of Lawrence,
Kans.
Erik is the son of Charlene Cornforth of Caldwell, Idaho.
Steiner Named KCAC Offensive Player of
the Week
 |
| Kevin Steiner
|
| Senior |
| Lincolnville, KS |
Kevin Steiner, McPherson College senior running back from Lincolnville,
Kans., was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference)
“Offensive Player of the Week” for his play in the Bulldogs’
season opening, 24-23 overtime win over Haskell Indian Nations University
on September 7. A 1998 graduate of Centre High School, Lost Springs,
Kans., Steiner rushed for 150 yards on 34 carries and caught one
pass for 13 yards. Steiner’s longest run of the evening was
a 22-yard dash early in the third period which set up McPherson’s
first offensive touchdown of the season as the Bulldogs took a 14-10
lead.
“Kevin is so dependable,” said McPherson College head
coach David Cunningham. “He doesn’t fumble, he runs
hard every time out. We would have liked to have played some others
(at running back) a little more, but in a game like that, we knew
we could depend on Kevin to get the job done.”
“Kevin looked like he had been in a street fight today (Monday),”
offered McPherson defensive coordinator Bill Minard. “But,
you knew he would just keep fighting and getting his yards.”
This is the second straight season that Steiner was recognized
as KCAC Player of the Week for his play against Haskell. Last year
he rushed for 170 yards on 27 attempts and caught two passes for
26 yards in the Bulldogs’ 26-7 win. Steiner led the Bulldogs’
in rushing in 2001 when he gained 709 yards before being injured
in McPherson’s seventh game and did not play in the Bulldogs’
final three contests. Steiner ran for 551 yards as a freshman in
1998 and 552 yards as a sophomore in 1999. He spent the 2000 season
at Fort Hays State University before transferring back to McPherson
last season. Steiner entered is final season of eligibility with
44 career pass receptions, good for 489 yards.
Kevin is the son of Ken Steiner and Connie Brooks of Lincolnville,
Kans. He is majoring in elementary education/special education.
Holtry Named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week
 |
| Matt Holtry |
| Senior |
| Nampa, ID |
Matt Holtry, McPherson College senior defensive back from Nampa,
Idaho, was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference)
“Defensive Player of the Week” for his play in the Bulldogs’
season opening, 24-23 overtime win over Haskell Indian Nations University
on September 7. A 1998 graduate of Vallivue High School in Caldwell,
Idaho, Holtry picked up a Haskell fumble at the Indians’ one-yard
line and stepped into the endzone for the McPherson Bulldogs’
opening score of the 2002 season. Holtry also had five tackles,
including one sack for a five-yard loss, from his strong safety
position before suffering a strained hamstring early in the third
period.
“Matt is a ‘player’,” said McPherson College
head coach David Cunningham. “He has been a leader for us
in the weight room and on the field since his return to our program
last January.
“Hopefully, this injury won’t hold him back. He has
worked so hard in the (weight) room, and is in tremendous shape.
With the week off this Saturday, we’re hoping he’ll
be back and ready to go against Bethel (on September 21).”
After playing two seasons at McPherson College, where he set the
current school record for career pass receptions with 142 catches,
Holtry transferred to Boise State University in Idaho for two seasons.
Upon his return to McPherson for the spring semester of 2002, he
moved to the defensive side of the ball.
“Matt came in (when arriving back on campus) and said he
wanted to do whatever he could to help us make this program a winner,”
said Cunningham. “He knew our secondary had been a real weakness
a year ago, and he has stepped in to be a leader at that position.
“We are aware of what kind of receiver Matt is, so we want
to get him some snaps on the offensive side too,” added Cunningham.”
Holtry entered the 2002 season only 67 yards shy of the McPherson
College career record for pass receiving yards with 2032. As a freshman
in 1998, he led McPherson College in receiving with 70 catches,
for 1126 yards and 14 touchdowns. He then returned as a sophomore,
in 1999, to catch another 72 passes for 906 yards and 7 more touchdowns.
Matt is the son of Bryon and Kristine Holtry of Nampa, and is majoring
in elementary education.
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