Schedule | Roster | Stats [Ind.
Off. Ind.
Def.] | Gallery | Signings
All-KCAC Honors | Weekly KCAC & NAIA Honors
The Bulldog football program came under new direction this fall as former Bulldog linebacker and ’97 McPherson grad Brian Ward took over as head coach. While the Bulldogs led at some point of the second half of every game except one, win #1 didn’t come until week four as injuries were key to the their early struggles.
Win number one came against the University of Saint Mary. After a tough loss at Sterling back-to-back victories over Haskell on Homecoming and at Ottawa, and defeat by 14th ranked Friends set the stage for the Bulldogs’ home finale and annual Senior Day.
Seventeen seniors wrapped up the home portion of their Bulldog careers with a thrilling 13-6 win over Tabor, breaking a 7-year losing streak to the Bluejays. That home finale win left the Bulldogs with a 4-5 overall record heading into their season finale at #16 nationally ranked Bethel where they fell, 52-7.
Two Bulldogs received national recognition during the season. Freshmen kicker Travis Eason and defensive back Austin Brown were named “National Players of the Week” by Hansen’s National Football Gazette and the NAIA, respectively, for their play in wins over Haskell Indians Nations and Ottawa University.
Juniors Gary Cox and Aazaad Artis led the Bulldogs’ post-season honors. Cox was named to the All-KCAC first team as the kickoff returner and Artis to the second team as a running back.
Eight Bulldogs received honorable mention All-KCAC recognition: Travon Anderson (Sr., running back), Jacob Custer (Sr., defensive lineman), Zach Hicks (Sr., linebacker), Joe Morgan (Sr., offensive lineman), Gary Cox (Jr., wide receiver), Jeff Paulson (So., defensive back), Austin Brown (Fr., utility player), Shelton Thigpen (Fr., defensive back), Ronald Morris (Fr., linebacker).
Five Bulldogs received conference or national weekly honors during the season. They were:
Austin Brown – NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week; KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Aazaad Artis – KCAC Offensive Player of the Week
Travis Eason – Don Hansen’s Football Gazette National Special Teams Co-Player of the Week; KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Jeff Paulson – KCAC Defensive Player of the Week
Ripp Harrison – KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week
