New McPherson College head football coach Joe Bettasso says one day the offense looks good, then the next day it’s the defense’s turn.
“That is a sign of a balanced football team,” said Bettasso, who has spent the last two years as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator before being elevated following the departure of Brian Ward. “It is still early but we need to start sharpening up on some things on both sides of the ball.”
With the new KCAC rules, the Bulldogs have an extra week of practice before their season opener Sept. 4 at McPherson Stadium against Haskell. Then it gets serious the following week when the Bulldogs travel to Wichita to take on KCAC preseason favorite Friends.
“I like what I am seeing on both sides of the ball,” Bettasso said. “Our offensive line is very physical right now and we feel like we have good speed on defense.”
The Bulldogs enter the season ranked No. 12 in the NAIA national coaches’ poll. Some of that has to do with the fact they were 9-2 last year, but the ranking is more influenced due to the Bulldogs returning 19 starters.
Mac averaged 44 points a game last year and has its terrific triumvirate of quarterback Shane Mascarenas, running back Aaron Lafitte and receiver Andy Skinner back in fold. Mascarenas threw for more than 3,200 yards last year, while Lafitte had more than 1,000 yards rushing and Skinner had more than 1,000 yards receiving, a rarity in this day and age.
“Our receivers and quarterbacks are still finding their timing,” Bettasso said. “We are still installing our offense, so our running backs are still working to find their aiming points.”
The Bulldogs’ defense may be the area that will improve the most. Though All-American linebacker Jeff Paulson graduated, nearly every other player returns. There’s a lot of size, speed and depth on this side of the ball.
“On defense we are just looking to sharpen up as a whole, adjust to motion, proper pass drops, little stuff like that,” Bettasso said.
Though the Bulldogs have perhaps the most veteran team in the KCAC, there’s still room for a freshman or two to perhaps slip in.
“We have had a couple freshmen that have shown that they will be able to crack the two-deep and get some reps,” Bettasso said. “Malik McKenzie, a freshman defensive tackle, will play a lot for us. Freshman Tyler Bruton is going to push for some reps as well.”
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New McPherson College head football coach Joe Bettasso says one day the offense looks good, then the next day it’s the defense’s turn.
“That is a sign of a balanced football team,” said Bettasso, who has spent the last two years as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator before being elevated following the departure of Brian Ward. “It is still early but we need to start sharpening up on some things on both sides of the ball.”
With the new KCAC rules, the Bulldogs have an extra week of practice before their season opener Sept. 4 at McPherson Stadium against Haskell. Then it gets serious the following week when the Bulldogs travel to Wichita to take on KCAC preseason favorite Friends.
“I like what I am seeing on both sides of the ball,” Bettasso said. “Our offensive line is very physical right now and we feel like we have good speed on defense.”
The Bulldogs enter the season ranked No. 12 in the NAIA national coaches’ poll. Some of that has to do with the fact they were 9-2 last year, but the ranking is more influenced due to the Bulldogs returning 19 starters.
Mac averaged 44 points a game last year and has its terrific triumvirate of quarterback Shane Mascarenas, running back Aaron Lafitte and receiver Andy Skinner back in fold. Mascarenas threw for more than 3,200 yards last year, while Lafitte had more than 1,000 yards rushing and Skinner had more than 1,000 yards receiving, a rarity in this day and age.
“Our receivers and quarterbacks are still finding their timing,” Bettasso said. “We are still installing our offense, so our running backs are still working to find their aiming points.”
The Bulldogs’ defense may be the area that will improve the most. Though All-American linebacker Jeff Paulson graduated, nearly every other player returns. There’s a lot of size, speed and depth on this side of the ball.
“On defense we are just looking to sharpen up as a whole, adjust to motion, proper pass drops, little stuff like that,” Bettasso said.
Though the Bulldogs have perhaps the most veteran team in the KCAC, there’s still room for a freshman or two to perhaps slip in.
“We have had a couple freshmen that have shown that they will be able to crack the two-deep and get some reps,” Bettasso said. “Malik McKenzie, a freshman defensive tackle, will play a lot for us. Freshman Tyler Bruton is going to push for some reps as well.”
