| 2005
Players of the Week
Gray
named Hansen's “National Co-Special Teams Player of the Week”
 McPherson's
Brison Gray picked up national honors in addition to KCAC Player
of the Week honors for his performance in the Bulldogs' 34-24 win
over Bethany last Saturday.
Gray was named Tuesday as
Don Hansen's Football Gazette “NAIA National Special Teams Co-Player
of the Week” along with Keith Ostermann of Bethel , Tenn. , College
and Jabari Woods of Iowa Wesleyan.
Details of Gray's performance
against Bethany can be seen below.
*****
Smiley
and Gray named KCAC“Players of the Week”
McPherson's Kris Smiley and
Brison Gray were recipients of KCAC "Player of the Week"
honors for their play during the week of October 23-29.
 Kris
Smiley, 5-10, 195-pound, senior slot back from Houston, Texas,
was named “Offensive Player of the Week” after catching five passes
for 106 yards, including a 65 yard touchdown which tied the game
in the first quarter, rushing six times for 32 yards, and returning
two kickoffs for 46 yards as the Bulldogs defeated in-county rival
Bethany College, 34-24. The win raised McPherson's overall record
to 5-3, guaranteeing the Bulldogs their third non-losing season
in the last four years.
“This was probably the best
overall game of his career,” said McPherson head coach David Cunningham.
“His touchdown reception was a huge play as it followed a Bethany
score.”
“Kris is an exceptional athlete
and one of our hardest workers on the team. He is a leader on and
off the field, and excels in the classroom as well.”
Brison Gray, 5-11,
155-pound, freshman kicker from Crescent, Okla., was selected “Special
Teams Player of the Week” following his two field goal, four PAT
afternoon as McPherson defeated Bethany for the second straight
year. Bray's 42-yard field goal with 0.2 of a second left in the
first half pulled the Bulldogs back within a touchdown. His second
from 19 yards, increased McPherson's lead to 10 points and iced
the win over the Swedes with just over three minutes left in the
game. Gray took over the Bulldogs place kicking duties in the third
game of the season and since then has converted 14 of 15 PAT kicks
and 7 of 10 field goals, the longest from 45 yards.
“Brison has a great future
here at McPherson College ,” said Cunningham. “He is calm under
pressure and does kick like freshman. His kick at the end of the
(first) half swing the momentum of the game, and his field goal
at the three-minute mark pretty much sealed the outcome of the game
for us.”
*****
Ratzlaff
named NAIA National & KCAC Defensive Player of the Week
McPherson College's senior
Jared Ratzlaff was named by “ NAIA National Defensive Player
of the Week” and "KCAC Defensive Player of the Week" following
his October 8 th , 10 tackle and 56-yard fumble recovery return
for a touchdown, performance as the Bulldogs turned back Friends
University, 28-21.
 Ratzlaff
(6'0”, 230, senior linebacker from Fredonia , Kan. ) was
credited with ten total tackles (2 solo, 8 assist) including one
tackle for loss (1 yard), a fumble recovery, and one quarterback
hurry.
With just under three minutes
left until halftime, Ratzlaff scooped up a Friends' fumble at the
McPherson 44 and rambled 56 yards to paydirt and his first collegiate
touchdown, putting the Bulldogs on top 21-7 with 2:47 left in the
first half.
On the season, Ratzlaff leads
the 2005 Bulldogs with 49 tackles (17 solo), has two tackles of
loss yardage, two fumble recoveries, and three quarterback pressures.
The 28-21 Homecoming Day
win raised McPherson's season record to 4-1, 3-1 in KCAC play.
After posting a NAIA season
high 174 tackles, including 104 solo shots and 11 tackles for losses
in 2004, Ratzlaff was an All-KCAC first team pick and named to the
NAIA's All-American second team defense. He was also named to Don
Hansen's Football Gazette third team and NAIAFootball.net
honorable mention squad following the 2004 season.
A 2001 graduate of Fredonia
High School , Ratzlaff transferred to McPherson College from Coffeyville
Community College in the fall of 2003 when he was a second team
All-KCAC pick after posting 136 stops with seven tackles for loss
yardage.
“Jared is very deserving
of being named ‘National Defensive Player of the Wee,'” said McPherson
head coach David Cunningham.
“He has been a rock for us
the last three seasons. He does not miss any meetings or practices,
and is a student of the game.”
“Those traits plus his natural
football talents and athleticism has helped him perform at a high
level for us week in, week out.”
“I am glad to see him finally
get the recognition we feel he deserves for his outstanding play.”
******
Gottschalk
wins national honor;
Two Bulldogs
receive KCAC Player of the Week honors
McPherson College
's Ricky Gottschalk was named by Don Hansen's Football Gazette
as “NAIA National Defensive Co-Player of the Week” for his
4½ sack, performance in the Bulldogs' win over Southwestern
Assemblies of God University.
Joining Gottschalk
in receiving “KCAC Player of the Week” honors for their play following
McPherson's come from behind, 33-28 gridiron win was freshman kicker
Brison Gray.
Gottschalk
was named “KCAC Defensive Player of the Week” while Gray was named
“KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week”.
 Gottschalk
(6'0”, 245, senior defensive end from Little Rock, Ark.)
was credited with nine total tackles (4 solo, 5 assist) including
two tackles for loss (9 yards) and 4.5 sacks (18 yards). Gottschalk
also caused one fumble and had one quarterback hurry as McPherson
raised its season record to 3-1 with the non-conference win.
On the season,
Ricky has been credited with 26 total tackles, 6.5 sacks plus an
additional 7 tackles for losses.
A graduate
of Hall High School in Little Rock , Gottschalk has twice been an
All-KCAC honorable mention selection.
“Ricky has
been doing a superb job for us his whole career,” said McPherson
head coach David Cunningham. “He has a lot of speed for a guy of
his size and strength, and that speed helps him get to the passer
on a frequent basis. He is a tough, physical player and is proving
a lot of doubters wrong, both in the classroom and on the field.”
 Gray
(5”11”, 155, freshman kicker from Crescent, Okla.) set
a McPherson College single game record as he connected on 4 of 4
field attempts, with his longest from 32 yards. Gray also successfully
converted 3 of 3 PAT kicks, raising his collegiate career streak
to 5 of 5. Gray's final two field goals, gave McPherson its first
lead of the game with 35 seconds remaining in the third period,
then iced the win over Southwestern Assemblies of God in the fourth
quarter. Gray is a graduate of Crescent High School .
“Brison stepped
up big time Saturday,” said Cunningham. “Without him, we are probably
sitting here at 2-2 instead of 3-1. He did a remarkable job for
a freshman, and we expect him to get only better with time. Combined
with Jacob Walden (punter) and Chris Sweatman (kickoffs), he gives
us a pretty good kicking combination.”
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