The Wildcat football team emerged victorious once again, and the defense was again a big reason for success. Although both offenses were stalled throughout the game, a pass from quarterback Mack Brown to running back Beau Smith allowed Baker to go ahead in the first half. Season at a glance.<a href="/football">Season at a glance.</a> Season at a glance.
After blocking punter Ryan Smith in the last minute of the first half, the Eagles were threatening with a first-and-goal situation on Baker’s own 5 yard line. A strong defensive stand culminated with a botched snap by Avila in its field goal attempt, letting the ‘Cats take over on downs. Brown took a knee to send the teams to the locker for halftime.
During halftime, 1987 Baker graduate Mike McCarthy was inducted into the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame. McCarthy currently serves as the Green Bay Packers head coach in the NFL. McCarthy, who took over as head coach of the Packers on Jan. 12, 2006, has his team in first place in the NFC, with a 5-1 record this season and a 13-9 record overall since his start. The year before McCarthy’s arrival the Packers went 4-12, the team’s worst record since 1991. McCarthy was unable to attend the previous weekend’s ceremony because of coaching responsibilities, but Green Bay’s bye this past weekend let him off the hook.
When play resumed in the second half, two field goals from kicker Derek Doerfler added six points, giving the team its 13 points for the day. Doerfler went 2-4 on the day, missing both attempts in the first half while battling winds up to 26 mph.
Next up the Wildcats travel to Marshall, Mo. to take on the Missouri Valley Vikings.