The Student News Site of Macalester College

The Mac Weekly

The Student News Site of Macalester College

The Mac Weekly

The Student News Site of Macalester College

The Mac Weekly

Playing agressive key to victory for football

By Patrick Murphy

Mac football has been up and down for the first half of this season. The team shows real potential, but at other times appears outmatched. Two weeks ago, the team demonstrated what they are capable of against Maranatha Baptist, defeating them 52-12. After struggling in their first two games, the Scots were firing on all cylinders against the Crusaders. However, things got off to a rough start when starting running back T. Joe Loiselle ’12 was lost for the season with a broken leg in the first quarter.

“We lost a big part of our offense,” quarterback Trevor Miehe ’11 said of Loiselle’s injury. “Everyone is going to have to step up to fill his shoes.”

For the rest of the Maranatha game they did. Even with the loss of Loiselle, who ran for 983 yards as a freshman last year, the offense was able to do more than enough to put away Maranatha. Filling in for Loiselle was Jake McDonnell ’10, who in 2007 scored 16 touchdowns in only five games. After sitting out the 2008 season with a foot injury, McDonnell returned to form against Maranatha with 222 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.

“We need to get the ball in his hands,” coach Tony Jennison said of McDonnell. “Period.”

Miehe also had a very strong showing, throwing for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Matt Mitchell ’11 continued to establish himself as a red zone threat with a pair of touchdown receptions, and wide out Jon Elliot ’11made the most of his lone reception, going 64 yards for the score.

While the offense provided plenty of yards, the defense repeatedly shut down Maranatha. Defensive back Adam Bunkoske ’13 led the charge with seven tackles. Fellow freshman secondary member, David Melms ’13, had six tackles and an interception.

Jennison described Melms as “the best cornerback we’ve had in four years.”

Defensive lineman Will Dhonau ’12 had two tackles for loss and his second sack of the year. Outside linebacker, Patrick Piepkorn ’12, who had a pair of tackles and a quarterback hurry in the game, credited Dhonau and the defensive line with setting the tone.

“I get pretty fired up,” Dhonau said. “All of us have a tremendous passion for what we do on defense. We’re going to hit you, and we’re going to hit you hard.”

The football team takes on Northwestern College in Roseville this Saturday at noon. Coming off of a disappointing performance against Carleton last Saturday, the Scots will be looking to get back on track this weekend.

Offensively, Miehe said the Scots will, “need to run effectively, and take care of the ball.”

Dhonau said that the defense will look to control the tempo of the game.

“It will be key to beat up on them early and set the tone,” Said Dhonau. “Hit them hard enough that they really don’t want to play anymore. We’ll need to play together and play nasty.

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    Felicity AlsopSep 9, 2019 at 10:58 am

    This is my first time visit at here and i am actually impressed to read everthing at one place.

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