Wesleyan outscores McPherson 31-26
By Bob Davidson, Salina Journal

McPHERSON -- A Salina Central quarterback, who played at Fort Hays State last season, hit a Salina South wide receiver, who also was at Fort Hays a year ago, for the game-winning touchdown.

And the beneficiary was Kansas Wesleyan.

Drew Dallas' pass to Jason Dolan, and Dolan's catch and dash to the end zone covering 54 yards with 1 minute, 54 seconds left propelled Wesleyan to a wild 31-26 Kansas Conference victory over McPherson Saturday night at McPherson Stadium.

Drew Dallas' pass to Jason Dolan, and Dolan's catch and dash to the end zone covering 54 yards with 1 minute, 54 seconds left propelled Wesleyan to a wild 31-26 Kansas Conference victory over McPherson Saturday night at McPherson Stadium.

The victory moves Wesleyan to 1-1 on the season; McPherson falls to 0-2. But not without giving the favored Coyotes all the wanted -- and almost more.

Operating behind veteran quarterback Wade Pederson, who was inserted into the starting lineup this week, the Bulldogs piled up 287 yards total offense and led 26-24 with 2:13 left in the game after Aazaad Artis' scored on a 2-yard run, capping a rally from a 24-14 deficit entering the fourth quarter.

But Wesleyan had a quick answer -- Dallas and Dolan, Central and South.

On the Coyotes' first play, after Willie Johnson's return to the KWU 41 and a 5-yard penalty on McPherson, Dallas dropped back and threw a pass downfield toward the Wesleyan sideline. McPherson defensive back Austin Brown went for an interception, but missed. Dolan caught the ball at the 25, spun and sprinted untouched into the end zone.

"Their cornerback just sat and it was a pretty easy read for me," Dallas said. "He came under and tried to pick it off, but the ball got there in time and Jason had to catch and sprint to the end zone.

"South-Central, that makes it a little better," Dolan said. "We always talk about what it would be like if the two schools combined. This game tonight was a little taste of that. It was fun."

Dolan said he thought he had a chance to score after catching the pass.

"I knew I had a chance when I turned and saw open field. I knew they were coming full speed and I had to pick it up."

Dallas was 9 of 18 passing for 126 yards and one interception. Dolan caught two passes for 67 yards.

One week after managing just 55 yards rushing against Bethel, Wesleyan's ground game came to life. The Coyotes gobbled up 272 yards on the ground, led Preston McCorkle -- another Fort Hays transfer -- who had 152 yards on 27 carries.

But the ground game almost cost KWU the game. Dallas was stopped for no gain on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 at the Wesleyan 34-yard line with 4:12 left. McPherson scored five players later on Artis' run.

"We really worked on it this week with our offensive line," McCorkle said. "I told (the linemen) Friday night during a meeting, 'just get a push and I'm going to run straight and I'm going to get four yards every time.'

"Our line did a tremendous job. They did all the work and I had the easy stuff."

The story wasn't as positive on the defensive side. Pederson and Artis gave the Coyotes fits, one week after McPherson had just 117 yards in a 17-14 loss to Bethany.

Pederson replaced Jacob Simon at quarterback this week. Pederson was 11 of 22 passing for 138 yards, and rushed for 58 yards on 14 carries. Artis had 67 yards on 22 carries.

Wesleyan led 21-14 at halftime after a bizarre series of events just before the break.

Trailing 21-7, McPherson drove to the KWU 14 -- a drive highlighted by two fourth-down conversions. But Pederson fumbled the snap on a first down from the Coyotes' 14-yard line and Colten Campbell recovered for Wesleyan with just over 2 minutes left in the half.

But Wesleyan handed the ball back to the Bulldogs two plays later when McCorkle fumbled at the KWU 13.

McPherson scored four plays later on Aazaad Artis' 4-yard run on fourth down with 36 seconds left. The PAT kick made it 21-14.

The ground game was Wesleyan's salvation in the first half, gaining 151 yards on 26 carries and all three touchdowns came on runs. McCorkle had 87 yards and 10 carries, including scoring runs of 1 and 8 yards. Steven Valliere scored the Coyotes' third TD of the half on a 1-yard run with 14:56 left before half.

But Wesleyan couldn't stop McPherson's resurgent offense -- the Bulldogs rolling up 163 yards, including 104 on the ground as Pederson had 54 and Artis 53.

Wesleyan returns home Saturday and will play Southwest Assemblies of God (Texas) in its lone non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Salina Stadium.

-- SJ --