The University of Redlands football team celebrated Homecoming 2010 with a 51-7 thrashing of the visiting Tigers of Occidental College earlier today in front of nearly 2600 fans at Ted Runner Stadium. On the heels of a 28-point, second-quarter explosion, the Bulldogs captured their first win against the Tigers since the 2003 season and did so by their biggest margin since Head Coach Mike Maynard took over the helm in 1988.

The Maroon and Gray scored the first 20 points of the game to gain a sizeable lead early in the second quarter.

Sophomore running back Brad Crisanty (Granite Bay, CA) capped off a quick two-play drive that came after the Bulldogs recovered a fumble on Oxy's opening series. He scampered in from seven yards out to make it a 6-0 game with 11:51 to go in the first quarter.

Two possessions later, Redlands took advantage of a Tiger penalty of pass interference to initiate a four-play, 37-yard drive into the end zone. Moving the ball from the Oxy 22-yard line, the Bulldogs eventually set up an eight-yard strike from senior quarterback Dan Selway (Villa Park, CA) to senior tight end Corey Sanchez (Salinas, CA), who posted his fourth touchdown on just his five catch of the season. After senior kicker Joe MacMillan's (Pasadena, CA) point-after try bisected the uprights, Redlands held a 13-0 lead.

On the first play of the second quarter, senior defensive back Mike Nicolini (Novato, CA) returned an Oxy punt 58 yards through the open field and into the promise land, scoring his second touchdown of the year. With MacMillan striking the PAT, the Bulldogs took over a 20-point lead.

The Tigers finally responded on their ensuing possession, moving the ball 60 yards on nine plays for a three-yard scoring pass by sophomore quarterback Ryan Rodriguez (Brentwood, CA) to junior tight end Nic Arnold (Edmonds, WA) with 10:20 remaining in the first half.

However, the Bulldogs refused to be outdone as they marched into the Oxy end zone for a fourth time when Selway connected with graduate student wide receiver Evan Reuter (Cameron Park, CA) on a 52-yard completion.

Nonetheless, Redlands wasn't done yet, garnering another touchdown in the first half to go up, 41-7. During this drive, Selway connected with three difference receivers, including a long of seven yards to junior wide receiver Kyle Romero (Santee, CA). In addition, Crisanty continued to serve as the primary ball-carrier for the Bulldogs, moving the ball 18 yards on four attempts, including his seven-yard rush into the end zone.

After the halftime homecoming festivities, the Bulldogs held the Tigers scoreless in the final periods but poured on another 10 points.

MacMillan nailed a 21-yard field goal before junior linebacker Tony Santini (San Jose, CA) recovered a blocked punt for a 16-yard touchdown return. Sophomore linebacker Justin Butler was credited with the impressive play against the Tiger punter.

Overall, Redlands racked up 20 first downs on 350 total yards of offense and gave up only 194 for Oxy.

Selway went 14-for-23 with one pick during his 176 passing yards. He found nine different receivers but connected with Reuter for 101 yards on four catches. Crisanty carried the ball 21 times for 90 yards, while sophomore wide receiver David Metcalf (Northridge, CA) stepped in as a running back with 34 yards, including a long of 17.

The Tigers gained 134 passing yards from junior quarterback Luke Collis (Pasadena, CA), who went 12-for-21 with one interception.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Jordan Garcia (Carlsbad, CA) led the Bulldogs with eight tackles, including three solo stops. He also sacked Collis once, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. Nicolini made seven total hits and was credited with two break-ups.

Oxy's senior defensive back Dillon Tucker (Wichita Falls, TX) posted a game-high 10 tackles.

Last season, the Bulldogs erupted for 50 or more points on two occasions, garnering a 51-24 victory over the University of La Verne before rattling off 53 against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Oct. 24.

The last time the Tigers (4-2, 3-1 SCIAC) gave up 51 or more points was Nov. 10, 2007, when they lost to Whittier College by a score of 61-67 in the final game of the season.

Redlands (5-1, 3-1 SCIAC) heads to La Verne on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Leopards.