Highlights

Campus News

Wildcat Weekly Minute for Nov. 17, 2011

A look at what's happening on campus this week.

Faith

Cleansed through the Cross

Dr. Quarles speaks on the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice at weekly chapel

Sports

LC hoops teams wrap up homestand with pair of wins

Off to Ozarks, UT-Dallas next

Organizations

LC media student give to Toys for Tots

More than 100 toys will help local charity

Campus Life

February is Heart Health Awareness Month

Stay healthy and 'God Red'

Culture

All the Shakespeare you could laugh at… and more!

tlc's adaptation of 'Shakespeare Abridged' pulls out all the stops

Special Coverage

LC brings another successful ‘Follow the Star’

'Christmas on the Hill' and 'Gala' add to festive weekend

Senior Moment: Cats end season with impressive win over McMurry

by Al Quartemont

13 seniors end careers with one final victory

It was senior day at Wildcats Stadium. That, in itself, was enough to fire up Louisiana College. The coach across the field may have had something to do with it as well.

In what proved to be an offensive showcase for the home team, Louisiana College (7-3/6-2) defeated McMurry (4-6/4-4), 55-13, in the final game of 2009 for both teams.

McMurry was one of the more improved teams in the American Southwest Conference this season under first-year head coach, Hal Mumme. The former coach of Kentucky, Southeast Louisiana and New Mexico State brought his famed "Air Raid" offense to Pineville only to find the LC defense, which has played well of late, a mismatch for his team. The Cats picked off Indians quarterback Landry Gunter five times, including two by freshman Reggie Calhoun - one of which he returned for a touchdown, as LC held the Indians to just 235 yards for the game.

Calhoun and sophomore Taylor Cottano combined for 13 tackles in the game. Cottano also had an interception - the other two coming from sophomore DeMel Dumas and senior Lance Stone. Stone had the hit of the game - a jarring blast on McMurry receiver RJ Long which separated the receiver from the ball late in the third quarter.

On offense, the Cats shook off a shaky start by junior quarterback Ben McLaughlin to post 437 yards. McLaughlin was intercepted by Will Morris at the LC 48-yard-line just 31 seconds into the game. McMurry converted that turnover into a touchdown. Gunter's 40-yard pass to Marcus Franklin set up Chantz Purvis for a one-yard score and the Indians led 7-0. Morris would pick off another McLaughlin pass with three minutes left in the quarter as McMurry led 7-0 after the first 15 minutes of play.

But the second quarter was totally dominated by LC. Senior Detrick James scored from nine yards out to tie the game at 7-7. With 7:04 left in the half, Jordan Rideaux gave LC its first lead on an 11-yard run to make it 14-7, LC.

After Gunter was intercepted by Cottano who returned the ball to the 15, the Wildcats capitalized with a McLaughlin to Chad Hindman touchdown pass to extend their lead to 21-7 with just over two minutes left in the half.

LC's defense would stop McMurry's ensuing drive on a fourth down attempt. With 19 seconds left, Rideaux would bring the crowd to its feet again - taking a pass from McLaughlin, Rideaux hurdled at McMurry defender and took the ball down to the Indians' 35 yard line. McLaughlin would hit Davonne Lumar for 19 more yards with two second left. That set up John Michiels for a 33-yard field goal to end the first half. The Cats with 24-straight points to lead 24-7.

In the third quarter, the game started to take a bit of a "chippy" edge. Both teams were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct several times, although McMurry found itself on the wrong end of those flags much more than LC.

The Cats would put away the game with three more scores. McLaughlin found senior Zack Morris up the left sideline for a 31 yard touchdown, James scored his second touchdown of the game from 26 yards out, and Calhoun returned his second interception of the quarter for 41 yards to the end zone as LC built a 45-7 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Rideaux did perhaps the only thing he hadn't done this record-breaking season - throwing a touchdown pass. It came five minutes into the quarter when Rideaux on the receiver option pass found Dane Reeves from 22 yards out. LC led 52-7. The Wildcats broke into an end zone celebration which may have made the fans smile, but probably not their coach. That antic would cost LC an excessive celebration penalty and directly set up McMurry for a score on their next drive. Gunter would find Long from 18 yards out. It would make the score 52-13, LC. The Wildcats closed the scoring with Michiels connected on a 30-yard field, making the final 55-13.

McLaughlin finished the game 24-of-35 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Rideaux led LC with 10 receptions for 61 yards. Morris closed his LC career with four catches for 50. On the ground, Detrick James, in his final game, rushed for 77 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.

Louisiana College finished the year 7-3 for a second straight year. Their 6-2 record in the ASC was third only behind the co-champs, Mary Hardin Baylor and Mississippi College, but out of the playoffs.

But judging by the hugs and smiles on the field after the game, for those 13 seniors, the season couldn't have ended any better.

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