THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The University of Redlands football team (0-3, 0-1 SCIAC) scored the first touchdown of the game and put together a strong first half before seeing California Lutheran University put together a big fourth quarter, as they would fall 40-14, in the annual Smudge Pot Trophy game.
The Bulldogs got off a hot start with a touchdown on their opening possession thanks to a Taylor Bowie (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) rush with 9:48 on the clock in the first. But they would then see the Kingsmen come down and tie things up on their next drive.
CLU then took the lead in the first minute of the second period. On Redlands' subsequent possession Tobey Schmidt (Tustin, CA) found Julian Borrayo (Covina, CA) for 14 yards on second down, which was then followed by Bowie running it for six-yards.
Following a run for no gain, Schmidt scrambled for five yards and a first down. He then handed it off to Jakai Torres (Baltimore, MD) who made it 2nd and 1 with a nine-yard run. Schmidt would also connect with Roshawn Lacy (Yorba Linda, CA) twice on first and second down later in the drive before the drive stalled forcing Mikael Khan (Rancho Mission Viejo, CA) to punt.
Redlands' defense, though, made the punt a good decision as they got a quick three-and-out giving their offense the ball at their 46-yard line.
With a Mark Mitchell III (Fontana, CA) run of four yards and a completion to him for another three, the Bulldogs then earned a free first down after a CLU personal foul. Mitchell then tallied another nine yards on two carries before Torres converted the first down.
A third down loss of eight yards, though, ended the drive and the subsequent 39-yard field goal would miss wide, which would have cut the deficit to four.
Now inside two minutes to play in the opening half, CLU moved the ball into Redlands territory looking to add points before the half. But their 3rd and 10 pass was intercepted by Andrew Placido (Hayward, CA).
The turnover gave the Bulldogs the ball just outside the redzone with :40 ticks remaining. After a personal foul on first down, and only four yards gained on the second, Schmidt found Borrayo for 18 yards with three seconds remaining setting up a 32-yard field goal from the CLU 15. That field goal attempt, however, would miss wide and the half came to a close.
Despite a pair of nice scoring opportunities falling short in the final two minutes of the first half, the Bulldog offense came right back to open the third quarter going 75-yards in nine minutes, capped off with a three-yard touchdown run by Lacy that tied the game up at 14-14.
During the 18-play drive, the Bulldogs converted on four third downs and another on fourth as they did not record a single double-digit yardage play.
The defense took advantage of the newly tied game as Anthony Hall (Seattle, WA) had a tackle for a loss (TFL) that went for a loss of seven, and after an incompletion on third down, CLU punted it back to Redlands.
With their first opportunity to reclaim the lead, the offense got into third and long, and after a holding call on third down, Bowie ran for six yards before a Khan punt.
The Kingsmen responded on their next possession, going 73 yards on two passing plays, which led to a 20-14 CLU lead after the failed point after try (PAT).
Redlands punted on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter, while their defense forced a turnover on downs. CLU, though, cashed in on a short punt and good return to begin their second possession of the quarter at the Redlands 32. After an incompletion, their quarterback threw a quick pass in the flat that turned into a 32-yard touchdown with 9:26 on the clock.
With just over six minutes remaining and trailing by 12, Schmidt found Borrayo for 15 yards on 4th and 12. He then hit Borrayo on first down for 21 yards to get the Bulldogs' down to the Kingsmen 15.
Three plays later, though, CLU forced a fumble and ended the possession inside the redzone with 5:23 on the clock.
Despite the tough circumstances, the U fo R defense once again came up big getting the ball back to the offense after another three-and-out.
With the ball at the CLU 37, after only a 26-yard punt, Schmidt found Lacy for 12 yards. A couple of plays later Schmidt connected with Cole Crawford (Simi Valley, CA) on the right side to make it 3rd and 2. That third down would prove to be the dagger as the Bulldogs fumbled for a second time and this one would be returned 85 yards for the game-sealing touchdown for CLU.
Despite a 28-point loss, the Bulldogs had four more first downs, 42 more net rushing yards, held CLU to 3.2 yards per rush, and held the ball for two seconds short of 15 more minutes. But the two fumbles cost them at least six points, while giving seven to CLU. Add on the two missed field goals and there is a 19-point swing.
Redlands will be back on the road next weekend, Saturday, October 3 as they face new NCAA Division III opponent Azusa Pacific University beginning at 6:05 p.m.
