Whittier College football lost 32-7 in the SCIAC opener against California Lutheran University at Memorial Stadium on October 4.  It was the second straight loss for the Poets who are now 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play this season.

The game opened up as a defensive battle in the first quarter.  The teams combined for three punts and two turnovers in the game's first five possessions.  Cal Lutheran (2-1, 1-0) opened the scoring at the start of the second quarter, when quarterback Jericho Toilolo found the end zone on a two-yard scramble.  The missed extra point left the score at 6-0. 

The Poets went three-and-out in the ensuing possession, and the Kingsmen responded with another scoring drive.  They drove 55 yards on seven plays capped by a 15-yard touchdown run by Antoine Adams.  Once again, the extra point attempt failed making the score 12-0. 

With 44 seconds left in the first half, the Poets got on the board.  After a strong defensive stand forced Cal Lutheran to punt, Brandon Johnson '10 took the kick 47 yards to the house.  The extra point by Eric Cejudo '12 made the score 12-7.

There was just enough time on the clock for Cal Lutheran to put together a five-play, 53-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard field goal one second before the halftime whistle.  The teams headed to the locker rooms with the score 15-7 in favor of the Kingsmen. 

The second half belonged to the Kingsmen, who extended their lead to 18-7 on the first possession of the half with another field goal, this one from 31 yards out.  After a Poet three-and-out on the next possession, Cal Lutheran's Sean Coen took the punt 47 yards into the end zone to add to their lead.  The extra point made it 25-7.

The lone score of the fourth quarter came at the 5:18 mark.  The Poets turned the ball over with an interception that was returned deep into Poet territory.  One play later, Derek Martinez scampered 18 yards to give the Kingsmen a 32-7 lead that would ultimately be the game's final score.

One of the few bright spots for the Poets offensively was running back Anthony Pomponio '09.  For the third straight game he eclipsed the 100-yard mark, carrying the ball 19 times for 103 yards.  Quarterback Matt Castaneda '11 was 12-for-26 with 112 yards, but threw two interceptions and was sacked five times.  Shawn Briggs '09 caught seven passes for 87 yards.

The Poet defense was led by Donovan Maloney '09, who had two sacks and six tackles total.  Three of those tackles were for a loss.  Steffen Santos '09 was credited with 5.5 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

The Poets are in action again on October 11, when they play host to Southern California rival Chapman University.  Kick off is scheduled for 7:00pm, the parking lot will be open for tailgating at 4:00pm.