KWU Athletics
Shaun Browder (SR/St. Louis, Mo.) wasn't concerned how he and Kansas Wesleyan teammates would respond in their Kansas Conference game against McPherson last week.
The No. 25 Coyotes were coming off a tough 18-14 loss to Avila on October 7 at JRI Stadium and Graves Family Sports Complex – the setback dropping them to 4-2 on the season.
"We all know what we're here to do, we all have the same goal," said Browder, KWU's starting strong safety. "We want to finish strong and the outcome's the outcome. Whatever we do the coaches make sure we finish strong.
"Everybody is thinking that we're down but in reality, we're really up."
Buoyed a suffocating second half defensive effort the Coyotes defeated McPherson 14-12 in McPherson. They blanked the Bulldogs and held them to 50 yards total offense the final 30 minutes and rallied for the victory after trailing 12-7 at halftime.
"In the first half they were running the ball, were moving the ball very well," Browder said. "The coaches told us (at halftime) we had to stick with the little things and stick with keys we had, keep our eyes in the right spots. They just helped us come together and bring the win home."
Browder is a significant piece in a defense that's allowing just 216.4 yards per game and ranks fourth in the NAIA.
Browder, who's in his third season as a Coyote, has 26 tackles (14 solo), a fumble recovery and an interception that he returned 27 yards for a touchdown against Avila. He's one of 10 seniors on the two-deep depth chart and says that's the biggest reason for the group's success.
"Our defense is more like a brotherhood," he said. "We've been together for a very long time so we know each other very well and we keep everybody up. If I'm playing down or not to my highest level, I'm pretty sure one of my guys will get me right and bring me up."
KWU coach Matt Myers says Browder is the linchpin for the defense. He made 34 tackles (19 solo) and the interception a year ago.
"He is the key to everything we do defensively," Myers said. "He has been with me for years. He makes the calls, adjusts the defense and tackles. He simplifies the game for everyone around him and is integral to our defensive system."
Browder's pick six against Avila was his second in two years and was the product of pregame preparations.
"I knew I had to break (on the ball), I knew that was where he (Avila wide out Andrew Williams) was going and just had to take it to the crib.
"I knew it was a big game, Avila was a great team so I had to make some plays. Making that play at that time when we needed it just felt great."
Browder came to KWU from Southwestern Community College in San Diego and followed a long line of SCC athletes who are or have played for the Coyotes – Paden Hazuga (SR/San Diego, Calif.) now, Shaq Bradford, Zyair Velazquez and Jesse Leasau in recent seasons.
"I heard from my old teammates and then getting a chance to talk with the coaches I knew it would be a great home for me," he said.
The Coyotes play Tabor at 7 p.m. Saturday in JRI Stadium. The Bluejays are 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the KCAC after losing to No. 12 Southwestern 49-6 last Saturday in Winfield.
"They do everything off the inside run," Browder said. "This week we've worked on the little things, our keys – reading tackles, seeing the tendencies of the receivers and the quarterback."
Browder says the team's focus the rest of the way is on the task at hand.
"Our goal is to win out but we have to take it day by day," he said. "We want to go 1-0 every day. We've got Tabor this week and our focus is on Tabor and doing the right things. After that, we'll see.
"I want to have fun and finish strong with the guys."