Coyotes rush by Southwestern Assemblies 42-7
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

What appeared to be an obvious mismatch on paper, was an obvious mismatch on the field, as the no.11 ranked Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes piled up 282 yards rushing and 432 yards of total offense in a 42-7 rout of Southwestern Assemblies of God at Martin Stadium on Saturday.

Nine different Coyotes had carries in the game, not including a “team” rush on a mishandled snap that led to SAGU’s only score, as Wesleyan did most of its damage on the ground. Darell Grames led the rushing charge with 24 carries for 125 yards and three scores.

After the opening kickoff by SAGU went out of bounds, KWU set up its first drive at the 35, and only needed eight plays to score at the 11:23 mark on a six-yard run by freshman quarterback Justin Schropp. Michael Barry’s kick made it 7-0 Coyotes. The drive was impressive to say the least, no play went for less than five yards, and Wesleyan racked up five first downs.

Southwestern Assemblies made a great opening play, a pass from Joe Garcia to Andrew Colvin for nine yards, but could get no further, and gave Wesleyan the ball back in great field position at the Wesleyan 44 yard line following a 14-yard punt return by Andy Bean.

The Coyotes then put together a classic Dave Dallas drive, running on 11 of the 12 plays, with Grames capping the 12 play, 56-yard march with a one-yard run. Barry’s kick made it 14-0 with 4:10 to go in the first.

SAGU appeared to be putting a drive together, aided by a 25-yard pass play from Garcia to Josh Johnson, but Garcia’s third down pass at the KWU 39 was intercepted by Willie Johnson, giving the ball back to the Coyotes.

The Wesleyan drive stalled after just two yards, and Jarod Fronce made his only punt of the night to give SAGU the ball.

The Coyotes found paydirt on their next drive, as Grames scored his second of the night from 10 yards out, and Barry’s kick gave KWU a 21-0 lead with 7:17 left in the second.

The Coyotes again had great field position at their own 45, but Joe Dixon fumbled and SAGU’s Willie Mitchell recovered to give the Lions the ball at their own 49.

SAGU’s drive sputtered out at the Wesleyan 43 when Brandon Smiley was stopped short of the first down by Matt Myers and Colten Campbell.

That’s when SAGU got its only score of the night. Wesleyan drove to the Lions’ 17 and had first down, when the exchange between Schropp and Grames was bad, allowing Marcus Ayers to pick up the loose ball and go back 80 yards for the SAGU score. Raymond Santibenez’ kick was good and it was 21-7 just before the half.

Schropp found Grames for 27 yards on a screen pass giving Wesleyan one final chance to add points before the half, but Anthony Padilla’s 51-yard field goal attempt as time expired had more than plenty distance, was just wide right, and the Coyotes took a 21-7 lead into the break.

SAGU got no closer than the KWU-33 the rest of the night.

Wesleyan looked to be heading in for another score on their first drive of the third, as Schropp hit Michael Donald with a 39-yard pass at the SAGU-10, but Daniel Pacheco stripped the ball, and Michael Ayers recovered for the Lions.

Three plays later, the Coyotes got the ball back as Eric Williams sacked Garcia, knocking the ball loose, which was recovered by Willie Johnson at the SAGU 10. It then only took one play for Grames to score his third touchdown of then night, and Barry’s kick made it 28-7 with 7:49 left in the third.

SAGU went for a fake punt on fourth down on its next drive but Brandon McGinn stopped punter and back up quarterback Cody Mixon for no gain, and the Coyotes took over at the SAGU 28 yard line.

Four straight carries by DeChad Ward found the endzone for Wesleyan again, as Ward went in from two yards out for the scoring play, and Barry made it 35-7 Coyotes with 4:37 left in the third.

Mixon then took over the reigns for the Lions, but could not produce any offense, and they were forced to punt, giving the Coyotes the ball at their own 40 to start their final scoring drive. It appeared Wesleyan had been stopped after a third down run by Schropp went for a loss, but a late hit by the Lions gave Schropp and the Coyotes a first down, and six plays later, Ward scored from one-yard out, and Barry’s kick gave the Coyotes the 42-7 lead with 12:58 left.

Scott Moore stopped the SAGU drive with an interception, giving the Coyotes more great field position at the SAGU-33, but the Coyotes were unable to get any closer than the SAGU 29, as Brad Manning’s pass to Lupe Salinas on fourth down was incomplete.

The Coyotes got plenty of younger players some valuable experience on the last Wesleyan drive as Cary Ramey, Chad Darthard, Stevy Townsel and Tommy Horacek all got touches to run out the game.

Grames’ 125 yards rushing led the Coyotes (6-0, 5-0 KCAC) ground attack that piled up 282 yards. Ward added 16 carries for 75 yards and two scores, while Schropp had nine carries for 46 yards and a score. Schropp was 7-for-12 passing for 150 yards, with Grames and Marcus Lowe sharing top receiving honors with two each.
Trey Mitchell was the top rusher for SAGU (1-5), carrying five times for 20 yards, as the Lions only managed 23 yards rushing for the night. Garcia and Mixon split the quarterbacking duties as Garcia was 15-for-25 passing for 95 yards and an interception, while Mixon was 6-for-10 for 42 yards and a pick. Scott Ballard led the Lions receivers with six catches for 42 yards, while Josh Johnson and Brandon Smiley each had four catches.

KWU returns to KCAC play next weekend, capping a three game homestand with a 1:30 contest against McPherson College at Martin Stadium. The Coyotes then have two key road games at Bethel and Sterling, before wrapping up the regular season at home against arch-rival Bethany on November 11.

-- KWU SI --