The Advance

Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Sports

Senior defensive back Seth Franklin makes a tackle during Saturday night's home opener. The coyotes battled back late in the fourth Quarter to eventually fall to Bethel 13-8. Photo By Tanner Colvin

The Coyotes lost their season opener 13-8 on Saturday night against Bethel at Salina Central Stadium.

The Coyotes only had a total of 174 yards on 52 plays. KWU's offense struggled during the first three quarters with only having a total of 94 yards. During the forth quarter, the offense stepped it up and gained 80 more yards.

With only his first season with the Coyotes, quarterback Drew Dallas was under a lot of pressure the entire game against Bethel's strong defensive line and with KWU receivers dropping the ball on his passes.

With only 2:36 left in the forth quarter, defensive end Scott Moore got the fans on their feet when he picked up a loose ball at KWU-16 and sprinted down the field ending at Bethel-10. "It was the fourth quarter and I was really tired but new I had to boost up my team. I just ran and tried the best I could do," Moore says.

At the clocks 1:34 minute mark, Dallas throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver John Pope, and Steven Valliere's two-point conversion pass to Pope put numbers on the scoreboard for the Coyotes.

Running back, Valliere, ran the team with a total of 41 yards on 17 carries and wide receiver, Derryl Hill, led the team with four catches for a total of 70 yards.

The defense had a very respectable game led by key returners Colten Cambell, Matt Case, Willie Johnson, and Moore. Defensive coach Louis Neal says "Our defense very close to being that great defense."

The third quarter was a quarter fans should remember. The defense had a good stand at the goal line. They held the Bethel offense on the one yard line for three plays which prevented the opponents from scoring a touchdown. "We should come out with that intensity with every play," states defensive end Matt Case.

Two members of the defense really showed their devotion to the Coyotes. During the second quarter, Cambell bruised his abdominal, but still returned after halftime and completed the game. Brandon McGinn finished the game with a broken hand making him the defensive player of the game. "This shows these guys have some heart," Neal states.

With the results of the game, the coaching staff now has an idea of what needs to improve on both offense and defense. The team will work hard this week at practice and observe film to prepare them for the upcoming game against McPherson. "The team has to find a motivation. We need to approach McPherson with discipline and be ready. We are just one or two plays away from being the team we want to be," Neil states.

KWU will match up against McPherson September 15 at McPherson College.

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