For the last two games Cody Petrich sat out for the Macalester College Fighting Scots, recuperating from a hit late in the team’s victory three weeks ago. The offense has been struggling of late and it was hoped that his return would help the team to get back on track. While not the offensive showcase that the team had shown in the first few weeks of the season. Petrich’s return was a key as he led the Scots to the 21-14 victory.

The first three possessions of the contest ended in punts. Macalester’s second possession of the game started at their own 34. The rushing attack of the Scots led the team on a 15-play, 66-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown to give the team the 7-0 lead. Jacob Jones carried the ball six times and Matt Bonazzoli added three carries. On second and goal at the one, Alec Beatty took the hand-off and scored to give his team the advantage.

Beloit would tie the score in the second quarter. A bad punt gave the Buccaneers the ball at the Macalester 44. The drive looked like it may stall when an illegal procedure call brought third and 6 at the Scots 19, but Danny May found Ryan Sughroue for 19-yards and the score to make it a 7-7 game. That would be the score at half.

Macalester College received the opening kickoff of the second half and Elliot Tanin gave his team great field position, taking it out to the 37. Ethan Carpenter started the drive with two carries for 21-yards and into Beloit territory. They would move to the 22, where it looked like the Buccaneers defense may stop the Scots. It was fourth and 5, and the coaching staff opted to go for it. Petrich found Beatty for a seven-yard reception and a first down. On the next play, Petrich kept the ball and raced to the end zone for the score to make it 14-7.

On their next possession, Beloit mounted an impressive drive of their own. May led his team from his own 35 down to the Macalester one-yard line where it would be fourth and 1. The Bucaneers had the ball for 8:49 and moved 63-yards in 15-plays. They, also decided to go for it, but May fumbled the ball. He would recover at the Macalester two, but the ball was turned over on downs.

The huge defensive stand then began an impressive drive for the Fighting Scots. Starting from their own two, Petrich completed three straight passes, two to Beatty for 10- and 11-yards, and one to Garrett Eichhorn for 25 that got the team out of their own end and near mid-field. Macalester moved to the Beloit six, where Petrich found WR Jonathan Knee for the score to make it 21-7. It was a 15-play, 98-yard drive that really put the Macalester Fighting Scots in command of the game.

The game looked like it was all but over, when punter Matt Glasenapp pinned the Buccaneers at their own four with 3:49 left in the game. However, Beloit College refused to cave. May led the team on a 15-play drive that went 96-yards before they would score. May’s seven-yard pass to Ethan Conley made it a seven-point game, but there was just 43-seconds left.

The Beloit Buccaneers went for the onside kick, but Alec Beatty would make one more big play, recovering the kick. The Scots then ran out the clock to preserve the 21-14 victory.

Petrich finished the contest 16-35 for 148-yards passing and a TD. He also rushed for 41-yards and a score. On defense, Macalester got 9-tackles from freshman Kiante Miles and eight from senior Forest Redlin.

The Buccaneers Mason Dixon rushed for 125-yards on 20-carries. He also made 5-catches for 62-yards. Danny May passed for 225-yards and 2-TDs. David Lafayette led Beloit with 9-tackles.

Next weekend the Scots welcome Cornell College to town. Kickoff is at 1 PM.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier