McPherson, Kan. – The No. 20-ranked Friends University Falcons came out on top of the (RV) McPherson College Bulldogs 36-35 in a key KCAC Kessinger Division matchup today (Nov. 9) in McPherson, Kan.
The win means the Falcons now control their own destiny to win the division, as they're now tied with McPherson and Southwestern at 3-1 but hold the tiebreaker due to winning over both teams.
This one didn't come down to the last play like the recent thrillers vs. Southwestern and Evangel, but it did come down to the final drive for McPherson.
Leading 36-35 in an offensive shootout, it was the Falcon defense that made the final stand by forcing a turnover on downs with 1:57 remaining.
With the Bulldogs out of timeouts, the Falcons were able to go into victory formation to close out the big road victory.
To reach that point, the Falcons had taken over at their own 20 the previous possession and marched 80 yards on 12 plays, culminating with a one-yard plunge from Nick Cordova on third and goal for what resulted in the game-winning drive.
There were plenty of fireworks from the outset, with Kaden Rigsby getting free for a 68-yard touchdown run for the Falcons on the game's opening possession.
After Jalil Brown scored a 72-yard touchdown on the Bulldogs first drive, Rigsby capped an eight-play, 42-yard drive with his second score of the first quarter to put Friends back on top.
K'Vonte Baker then scored from two yards out to make it 20-7.
The Falcons then had to survive 21 unanswered points by the Bulldogs as a touchdown run and catch by Brown along with another touchdown throw from quarterback Tristan Szabo suddenly had McPherson in front 28-20 with 3:56 left in the first half.
A 29-yard field goal by Cole Thompson before halftime gave the Falcons some momentum back and cut the Bulldog lead down to 28-23.
The score stayed that way until the Falcons struck on a touchdown pass from running back Jett Cheatham to Caden Lee late in the third to put Friends back in front.
McPherson then had another quick strike score when Szabo hit Dillion Coleman for a 70-yard touchdown pass to regain the lead at the 2:36 mark of the third quarter.
Baker led the Falcons (9-1, 3-1 KCAC Kessinger Division) with 118 rushing yards and threw for 42 yards, with Rigsby (91 yards) and Cordova (64 yards) also having strong days on the ground.
Szabo had 230 yards passing and three touchdowns, while Brown accumulated 140 rushing yards.
Marquis Willoughby, Nolan Ewing and Leshaon Davis each had eight tackles to lead the Falcon defensive unit.
Gabe Goodnight had a team-leading nine tackles for the Bulldogs, who fell to 8-2 and 3-1 in the division.
The Falcons will wrap up the regular season next Saturday at 1 pm at Bethany College. Kickoff is set for 1 pm in Lindsborg, Kan. and if the Falcons win, they will capture the 2024 KCAC Kessinger Division and clinch the program's first playoff berth since 2008.
