Winfield, Kan. — Despite a furious second-half surge and several highlight-reel plays, the Southwestern College Moundbuilders came up short in a 53–40 loss to McPherson on Saturday afternoon at Richard L. Jantz Stadium. Southwestern racked up 338 yards of total offense and produced two return touchdowns but couldn't overcome early turnovers and a relentless McPherson ground attack that piled up 269 rushing yards.
McPherson jumped out to an early 10–0 lead after a 61-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Markarian and a Jack Finder field goal. Southwestern answered in the second quarter behind wide reciever Joe Smyth, who capped a 75-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 10–7. Smyth struck again later in the quarter, hauling in an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jamie Odom, trimming the deficit to 17–14. Just before halftime, McPherson extended its advantage to 20–14 on another Finder field goal, leaving the Moundbuilders trailing by six at the break.
The second half saw both teams exchange scoring blows. McPherson's Jalil Brown broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run early in the third, but Southwestern's Odom kept the Builders in it with efficient passing, finishing with 250 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Wide receiver Bryce Chambers was a top target, hauling in an 11-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter to cut McPherson's lead to 44–34. Smyth added his third score of the game in electrifying fashion, returning a kickoff 93 yards to the end zone late in the fourth, pulling the Builders within 13.
Defensively, Teddy Amorosi led Southwestern with eight total tackles, while Elijah Moroney added six stops and a sack. DreShaun Flowers also forced a key fumble in the first half. Southwestern's special teams also shined—Jeremiah Schaef boomed three touchbacks on five kickoffs, and the Moundbuilders totaled 246 kick-return yards, including two touchdowns from Smyth.
Southwestern totaled 338 yards on 48 plays, averaging seven yards per play, including 250 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. The Moundbuilders were three-for-four in the red zone and converted 40 percent of third downs. McPherson, meanwhile, leaned heavily on its run game, running 73 plays for 415 yards and controlling the ball for nearly 37 minutes.
The Moundbuilders, now 6–3 overall and 1–2 in KCAC play, will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Leavenworth to face Saint Mary. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.
