NEWBURG, Ore. – The University of Redlands football team (0-1) were minus two in the turnover battle, eventually falling 27-0 at George Fox University (GFU) Saturday night in their 2026 season opener.
The Bruins went up 7-0 after 15 minutes and then extended the lead to 20-0 at the half.
Redlands' best first half drive came late in the first quarter and the beginning part of the second when they went nine plays for 51 yards. But the drive would end up with no points to show for it as the ensuing 46-yard field goal missed wide. The big plays of the drive came from Mark Mitchell III (Fontana, CA) who had a 22-yard run followed by a short pass to Roshawn Lacy (Yorba Linda, CA) for another ten yards.
The next big drive for the Maroon and Grey came in the third when they moved the ball to the GFU nine-yard line on a 13-play drive. Jakai Torres (Baltimore, MD) ran for 15-yards, Tobey Schmidt (Tustin, CA) found Jack Ryan (San Diego, CA) for 14 yards and then Lacy for another 28 yards as they got down to the Bruin 13 after a 4th and 16 conversion. The drive, though, would end four plays later on a turnover on downs as a 4th and 2 went for a loss.
A fumble, interception, and punt would be the final three possessions for the Bulldogs to end the game.
Redlands was outgained 434-225 on offense as both teams ran 67 plays. One area of strength for the Bulldogs was forcing the Bruins passer to only a 59.4% completion percentage and 6.8 yards per attempt. Schmidt finished the game going 10-for-26 for 105 yards, Mitchell III ran for 48-yards and Lacy and Ryan combined for 76-yards in the air. Defensively, the Bulldogs saw Enrique Ibanez (Ontario, CA) and Jaylen Ephraim (Fontana, CA) each record nine tackles and Andrew Placido (Hayward, CA) with another seven. Ybanez also had a forced fumble and a breakup and Placido with a fumble recovery.
The Bulldogs return home, and after a bye week, they host Whitworth University for their home opener inside Ted Runner Stadium on Saturday, September 19 at 7:05 p.m.
