Football | 11/20/2010 6:42:32 PM
Box Score
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – McKendree’s power running attack proved too strong, as the Bearcats ended McPherson’s 10-game winning streak with a 38-14 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the NAIA Football Championship Series.
With the loss, McPherson ends the season with a 10-1 record, while the Bearcats improve to 9-2 and advance into the second round of the NAIA playoffs.
As a team, the Bulldogs gained a season low 242 yards of total offense with 202 yards coming from the passing game. The Bearcats moved the ball efficiently and powerfully for 529 total yards, including 429 yards on the ground. McKendree senior running back Jimmy Berezik set a season best with 171 yards to lead the MU offense.
For McPherson, senior quarterback Shane Mascarenas (Peoria, Ariz) completed 22-of-44 passes for 202 yards, while senior running back Aaron Lafitte (Ironwood, Ariz.) carried the ball 13 times for 37 yards.
McKendree opened the scoring on their first drive when Chris Montgomery exploded for a 51-yard run to give the Bearcats a first and ten on the McPherson 14 yard line. Berezik scored his first of two touchdowns on the day from 11 yards out just two plays later to give McKendree the early 7-0 lead.
Berezik struck again following a McPherson punt to extend MU’s lead out to 14 with 9:05 remaining in the first quarter.
McPherson showed signs of life on their next possession, but a blindside strip of Mascarenas stalled the drive deep in Bearcat territory. However, McPherson would catch a break just a few plays later when senior defensive end Scott Jones scooped up a McKendree fumble and raced 66 yards to cut deficit to seven, 14-7.
The Bearcats extended their advantage to 21-7 with 0:30 left in the second quarter when quarterback Austin Fisher capped a 10 play, 63-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Byron Gettis.
The Bulldogs showed signs of life with their opening drive in the second half as MC marched 84 yards on five plays, including a 30 yard pitch and catch from Mascarenas to Lafitte. Mascarenas took it upon himself to score what would turn out to be McPherson’s only offensive touchdown of the night with a 15-yard run. The score cut the deficit back to seven, 21-14.
However, the McPherson score did not phase the McKendree offense who matched the Bulldog touchdown just two plays later on a 37-yard run by Marlone Chenault.
The Bearcats would add a Jordan Fark 41-yard field goal and a touchdown reception by Richard Bailey en route to the 38-14 final score.
McKendree dominated the time of possession 36:07 to 23:25.
With the loss, McPherson finished 10-1 under first-year head coach Joe Bettasso.
