REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Football team was edged 10-9 Saturday night in a defensive battle against Pomona-Pitzer.
The Bulldogs and Sagehens both move to 3-2, 2-1 SCIAC.
All night Redlands' defensive unit wrecked havoc on the Sagehens limiting them to just 178 yards of total offense with 221 coming through the air and -43 yards on the ground. On the other side the Bulldogs totaled 406 Yards of Total Offense with 144 Rushing and 262 Yards Passing, averaging 5.6 Yards Per Play.
After one quarter Pomona-Pitzer held a 3-0 lead and then added a score in the 2nd Quarter to lead 10-0 at the break. Out of the half the Bulldogs were able to put up seven in the 3rd Quarter and then picked up a safety late to get within one, but that's where the game would end.
On the night Redlands held the edge in TOP 35:12-24:48, recorded seven sacks for a combined 48-yards lost and were 1-for-2 in redzone chances.
It came down to Special Teams as the Maroon and Grey had their chances with three field goals attempts, with two being blocked and another unable to get off due to a low snap.
Redlands marched down the field on their opening possession covering 51-Yards on 9-Plays, which included a 20-Yard run by Tony Williams Jr. (Indio, CA) But the ensuing 41-Yard Field Goal by Vicente Carcia (Fontana, CA) would miss wide. After a quick three and out by PP the Bulldogs got the ball back but only advanced it 19-Yards being forced to punt, which was blocked for 12-Yards setting the Sagehens up at the UR17. But the Maroon and Grey proved tough to move the ball against as they sent PP backwards five-yards forcing them to drill a 39-Yard Field Goal.
Starting off the 2nd Quarter Redlands sustained another long drive this time for 48-Yards across 10-Plays again setting them up with a Field Goal this time from 37-Yards Out, but this attempt would not get off as a low snap would force the holder to fall on it turning the ball over. Pomona-Pitzer scored their only touchdown of the game following a 7-Play, 80-Yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass to Joaquin Valdez.
Right before the half Redlands had another chance to put points on the board as they attempted another Field Goal this time from 42-Yards out, but this look would again miss wide keeping UR off the scoreboard heading into intermission.
In the second half the Bulldogs' defensive unit pitched a shutout and received a scoring drive on their opening possession, which was an 11-play, 90-Yard drive spanning 6:37, which was led by Tyler Tremain (Folsom, CA) who had a long run for 44-Yards before punching it in from four-yards out. To start the 4th Quarter Redlands had another opportunity to add points getting all the way down to the PP31, but came away empty as they elected to go for it on 4th and 11 rather than attempting a Field Goal.
Tremain was forced out of the game late putting the comeback on the shoulders of Jordan Ford (Compton, CA) who came up big bringing the U of R down to the PP14 orchestrating a drive that included a 14-yard rush on 3rd and 14 along with a 35-yard hook-up with Graig Padgett (Steilacoom, WA) that set the Maroon and Grey up in the RedZone. Redlands looked like they would force overtime needing only a Field Goal, but Garcia's attempt from 31-Yards was blocked and recovered at the PP3. The Sagehens tried a few kneel downs forcing them backwards and on 3rd and 12 the Bulldogs were able to get the safety to add two more points but that came as time expired.
Scott Tinsley (Capitola, CA) led the defensive unit with nine tackles (6 Solo/3 Assisted) to go with a sack for a six yard loss and a pair of pass break-ups. Jacob Sega (Oceanside, CA) totaled four tackles with another sack for an eight-yard loss, and Dre Owens (Pico Rivera, CA) totaled two tackles with the second being a blitz off the outside that turned into a sack for a seven-yard loss.
Tremain finished 21-for-34 for 215 Yards with a long completion for 33-yards. He also ran five times for 62-Yards scoring a touchdown. Ford came in late in the 4th Quarter and completed 3-of-7 for 47 Yards with a long being for 35-yards. Williams Jr. led the ground attack posting 74 Yards on 17 carries with a long being for 20-Yards, averaging 4.0 Yards Per Carry.
Evan Aguon (San Diego, CA) had a big night with seven receptions for 85-Yards with a long being for 33-Yards. He also had three punt returns for 54-Yards, averaging 18-Yards per return. Seth Weller (Olympia, WA) caught another six balls for 70-Yards, with a long being for 31-Yards and Padgett hauled in two catches for 44-Yards.
Redlands remains at home next Saturday, October 14 when they host California Lutheran University for Homecoming and the Smudge Pot Trophy Game beginning at 7:05pm.
