REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Football team recognized their 37 seniors Saturday night in a big way using a strong second half to beat the University of La Verne 40-12 inside Ted Runner Stadium. The Bulldogs improve to 5-3, 4-2 SCIAC, while La Verne drops to 1-7, 0-6 SCIAC.
After scoring just five points in the first half the Maroon and Grey came out and saw their defensive unit post a shutout in the second half, while totaling three pick sixes and a combined 23 points scored on that side of the ball. Twenty-one points were scored in the 3rd Quarter and another 14 in the 4th Quarter as the Maroon and Grey rolled in front of a crowd of almost 2,000 strong.
The Bulldogs had 301 Yards of Total Offense with 152 yards rushing (4.6 YPR) and another 149 through the air (13.5 YPC). The defense for UR was again tough in stopping the run as they allowed just 14 yards on the ground.
It was a slow 1st Quarter for both offenses with La Verne sustaining a 17-play, 61-yard drive on their second possession that ended in a touchdown spanning 7:13. The ensuing extra point though would get blocked by Luke Purcella (University Place, WA), eventually getting picked up and returned 90-yards by Scott Tinsley (Capitola, CA) to the house giving UR two points.
Opening up the 2nd Quarter the Bulldogs were able to travel 63-yards on 10-plays ending in a 22-yard field goal by Vicente Garcia (Fontana, CA). This pulled the Maroon and Grey within one at 6-5. With 2:20 remaining in the period ULV used an interception of Jordan Ford (Compton, CA) ending a threat and capitalized with a short field needing only three-plays to extend their lead 12-5 heading into the break.
The difference came in the second half where Redlands outscored the Leopards 35-0 across the final 30:00 minutes with 21 of those points coming on pick-sixes. Mikey Duran (Crese, CA) tied the game up for UR to begin the quarter after picking off a pass at the line and scoring from three-yards out. The very next series for ULV Cole Smith (Gaston, OR) got into the action hauling in a pick as well, but this one ending a 60-yard drive by the Leos. Redlands would use the turnover to add more points covering 92-yards in just five-plays thanks to a Tony Williams Jr. (Indio, CA) rush of 66-yards to the house moving the score to 19-12.
After a three-and-out forced by the Bulldog defensive unit the offense came back and added another touchdown this time with Ford connecting with Graig Padgett (Steilacoom, WA) for a 52-yard hook-up before finding Kaleb Hatten (Modesto, CA) in the corner of the endzone extending the lead.
La Verne strung together a long drive that spanned into the 4th Quarter covering 60-yards on 12-plays but again they would be stopped this time from Laurence Williams (Corona, CA) who added another interception to the Bulldog total. Later on in the period the Leopards attempted a comeback but again the Bulldog secondary came to play putting the game away following a Tinsley pick-six. But Redlands wasn't done because they would tack on another seven points with under a minute to play thanks to Carter Thompson (Denver, CO) who would pick off Jonath Martin and score from 35-yard out for another pick-six.
Redlands finished with six interceptions for the game, which included three pick-sixes. They also added eight pass break-ups, a blocked extra-point, five sacks for a combined 35-yards lost and eight TFL's.
Ford finished 11-for-20 for 149 yards and a touchdown. Williams Jr. had 17 rushes for 147 yards with a touchdown a long being for 66-yards, averaging 8.6 Yards Per Rush. He also caught two passes for 25-yards. Padgett led the receiving core making two catches for 64-yards with a long being for 52 and Hatten added four receptions for 38-yards and a touchdown.
Jacob Sega (Oceanside, CA) totaled nine tackles on the night (3 Solo/6 Assisted), while Tinsley posted seven (3 Solo/4 Assisted) along with an interception return for a touchdown of 58-yards along with a two-point conversion scored off a blocked PAT. Smith also had a big day with seven tackles (5 Solo/2 Assisted) to go with a TFL, a pass break-up and an interception. Williams added five tackles (2 Solo/3 Assisted) with .5 a TFL and an interception. Duran finished with a sack for a six-yard lost along with a pick-six and Jax Lee (Richland, WA) finished with three tackles, 1.5 sacks for nine-yards lost and a break-up.
Redlands travels next Saturday, November 4 to Claremont, CA when they take on Pomona-Pitzer beginning at 7:05pm. The winner of this game will be the Sun Pod Winner and will advance to the SCIAC Championship Game November 11.
