Macalester vs. Beloit statistics
Jacob McDonnell's (So., Duluth, Minn. / Marshall) 81-yard kickoff return sparked a Macalester comeback which saw the Scots rally from a 14-0 deficit to a 34-21 victory over Beloit at Macalester Stadium in the 2007 season-opener for both teams. Beloit had spoiled Macalester's season-opener six times in the previous seven years and its defense shut down the Scots for a quarter-and-a-half before the hosts turned things around.
McDonnell had a huge day to lead the Macalester comeback and finished with a school-record 430 yards in all-purpose rushing. In addition to returning three kickoffs for 97 yards, McDonnell ran the ball 24 times for 143 yards and came out of the backfield to catch six passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
His 430 yards is the most since Mac Russell from Hampden-Sydney racked up 462 against Bridgewater ( Va. ) in 2001 and and he is the first 400-yard producer in the Division III ranks since 2002. The all-time NCAA Division III single-game record for all-purpose rushing is 527 yards by Paul Smith of Gettysburg against Muhlenberg in 1999. Last year's single-game high in the nation was 375 yards.
Beloit led 14-0 midway through the second quarter before McDonnell jump started the Scots with his 81-yard kickoff return to put the home team on the board. A national all-purpose rushing leader from a year ago, McDonnell used his speed to turn short passes into 45-yard and 66-yard third quarter touchdowns.
Quarterback Nick Slobe (So., Rock Valley, Ia.) ran for a pair of 1-yard TDs and in addition to passing for a couple scores to McDonnell, finished with a 241 yards passing on a 12-for-27 performance. Slobe ran for 53 yards on the day.
Mac was 3-for-4 on fourth down conversions and finished with 466 total yards on the day. However, 14 penalties hurt the cause, as did a 3-0 Beloit turnover advantage.
Brian Foster (Fy., Shannon, Miss.) made his collegiate debut a good one, leading all defensive players with 14 tackles including six solo stops. Gavin Keisling (Jr., Page, Ariz.) registered three QB sacks and Nick Hurni (Fy., Little Falls, Minn.) had 3 1/2 tackles for loss of yardage. Keisling made 11 tackles and Hurni was in on seven. Nick Honan (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) broke up a pair of passes.
Julian Ross caught five passes for 41 yards and Andrew Christensen gained 53 yards and four receptions to lead the Buccaneers. Quarterback Joe Davis came off the bench and led all Beloit rushers with 60 yards on 12 attempts. He also went 5-for-9 for 74 yards. Beloit 's top tackler was Sam Bauman with 15 tackles.
Beloit jumped out on top on a Christensen two-yard sprint to the corner and quarterback Matt Davis ran it in from a yard away as the Buccaneers went up 14-0. At this point the Scots had done little offensively. McDonnell's kickoff return, however, turned things around and the Scots eventually led 34-14 following five unanswered touchdowns.
Macalester travels next Saturday (Sept. 8) to Principia ( Ill. ) while Beloit is at home to Carroll in its Midwest Conference opener. Mac beat Principia 50-6 a year ago in St. Paul.
