The University of Redlands football team mustered a 21-7 victory over the visiting Stags of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Saturday night, relying on a 14-point outburst in the fourth quarter to secure the important Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) win. As both teams struggled to play at their best, the Bulldogs overcame six significant miscues en route to handing CMS its first loss of the season.

After gaining the ball when CMS fumbled a snap during a field-goal try, the Bulldogs' suffered a 15-yard penalty to put them at their own 27-yard line early in the first quarter. Nonetheless, senior quarterback Dan Selway (Villa Park, CA) found his top target of late in freshman wide receiver Taylor Irwin (Rocklin, CA) on a 74-yard strike into the end zone. Sophomore kicker Connor Cook (Kamuela, HI) converted the point-after to make it a 7-0 ball game with 10:18 remaining in the first quarter.

Although the Stags were forced to punt twice and fumbled once, they eventually answered with a seven-point play of their own, tying the score up as time expired in the first half. CMS moved the ball down field to the Bulldog one-yard line and then appeared to fumble it for a 99-yard return by sophomore linebacker Jordan Garcia (Carlsbad, CA), but a face mask penalty called it back to the Redlands one. On first-and-goal, the Redlands defense stepped up to the plate on back-to-back tries by the Stags. CMS finally broke into the end zone as sophomore quarterback Peter Kimmey (Seattle, WA) slipped by the line for the score. Sophomore kicker Chet Corcos (Fair Oaks, CA) bisected the uprights to tie it at seven apiece.

While both teams continued to struggle offensively, the Bulldogs remained patient and determined, and finally saw the benefits come to fruition in the fourth quarter.

Junior defensive lineman Brett Hutter (Ontario, CA) blocked a 41-yard field goal by CMS, breathing new life in to the Maroon and Gray with 10:46 left in the game. After an eight-yard return by senior defensive back Rudy Vidales (Los Angeles, CA), Selway connected with sophomore wide receiver David Metcalf (Northridge, CA) for a 14-yard gain to initiate the drive. He later found graduate student Evan Reuter (Cameron Park, CA) on a 43-yard bomb to move the ball to the CMS 16. During this drive, freshman quarterback Bobby Brown (Ladera Ranch, CA) carried the ball for 12 yards while sophomore running back Brad Crisanty (Granite Bay, CA) added a two-yard rush. The Bulldogs also gained 19 yards on two penalties against the Stags, allowing them to eventually convert the six-point play on a five-yard pass from Selway to senior tight end Corey Sanchez (Salinas, CA). Cook remained solid on the PAT to give Redlands a 14-17 lead with 4:52 left on the clock.

CMS continued to struggle with keeping possession as the Stags coughed up their fifth fumble of the night on a big play by Bulldog junior linebacker Tony Santini (San Jose, CA). Senior defensive back Richard Dye II (Sacramento, CA) ran it back for 43 yards to the CMS 27, setting up his team's third touchdown of the night. While effectively managing the clock, the Bulldogs moved the ball by five rushes and a CMS penalty, converting the score on a four-yard carry by Crisanty. Cook's kick made it 21-7 with just over two minutes remaining.

The Redlands defense came up with the stops on CMS' final drive, forcing a four-and-out on the ensuing possession. The Bulldogs simply took a knee in their final two plays en route to their fourth win of the season.

Selway recorded 271 passing yards on 19 completions. Once again, Irwin served as his favorite target, amassing 150 yards on six receptions. He also found Reuter five times for 76 yards. Crisanty carried the ground game with 22 rushes for 73 yards.

On defense, Hutter provided stellar play with his nine total tackles, including one for a loss of five yards.

CMS (4-1, 1-1 SCIAC) looked to Kimmey to carry the ball 23 times for 89 yards. The passing game was non-existent with two completions for 46 yards.

The Stags' defense was led by junior linebacker Ben Salzman (Calabasas, CA) with eight tackles, who also doubled as their punter with five punts for 194 yards.

Redlands (4-1, 2-1 SCIAC) looks forward to hosting the Tigers of Occidental College during its Homecoming celebration on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Ted Runner Stadium.