Box Score REDLANDS, Calif. - The Whittier College
football team dug itself in a hole it couldn't get out of Saturday
evening at Ted Runner Stadium. The Poets were outscored 34-7 in the
second quarter as the No. 25 Bulldogs won their third-consecutive
game over WC in the 98th meeting between the two programs.
Whittier entered the game as the second ranked rushing offense
in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference but
had a difficult time running against the nation's top-ranked run
defense.
The Poets (2-3, 0-2 SCIAC) averaged 202.8 yards rushing per game
but were held to just 68 yards on 39 attempts. Redlands totaled 12
tackles-for-loss which includes six sacks for minus 34 yards.
Whittier's most successful rush came on its first play from
scrimmage as Paul Schilling scampered 30 yards to
answer Redland's opening drive score. The Poets worked down to the
Bulldogs' 28-yardline but Kelly Maguire had the
ball knocked loose and Whittier's five-play, 53-yard, drive came to
an end.
On the ensuing possession the defense forced a Redlands punt
which was blocked by Brad Seitz. The Poets took
over on the Redlands 19-yardline but came away empty on the
scoreboard. WC lost two yards on back-to-back rushing plays and a
five-yard delay of game penalty pushed a field goal attempt from 37
yards to 42 yards. The kick sailed wide left and eight plays later
Redlands led 14-0.
The purple and gold went to the air on its next possession and
gained 57 yards on its first two plays. Maguire, who made his first
collegiate start, found Anthony Bennett for 38
yards and Chris Delgado for 19 yards.
WC received an additional six-yards due to a roughing the passer
call and four plays later Marcus Langkilde
converted a fourth and goal from the one to cut the lead to 14-7.
That would prove to be as close as Whittier would get. Redlands
had the ball four more times in the second quarter and came away
with 27 points in just 2:35. The longest scoring drive was five
plays and lasted 1:53.
Redlands led 41-7 at the half.
Whittier's second half touchdown came through the air. Maguire
found Giovanni Stanley from eight-yard outs to
make the score 44-13. WC's two point attempt failed.
Maguire finished the game 7-of-11 for 97 yards, one touchdown
and one interception. Douglas Lawson played the
fourth quarter and completed 8-fo-14 passes for 90 yards and one
interception.
Bennett led all receivers with 101 yards on four catches and
Schilling was the top ground gainer at 43 yards on seven carries.
Josh Lomeli had a team-high nine tackles.
Brandon Boehm made four stops which includes one
sack for an 11-yard loss.
Redlands outgained the Poets 358-255 despite running five fewer
plays (64-59). The Poets held the advantage in time of possession
at 34:39 to 25:21. WC averaged an even four yards per play while
the Bulldogs had an average gain of 6.1 yards.
The Poets will look to get back to .500 for the season next
weekend as it plays host to Pomona-Pitzer at 3 pm in the annual
Homecoming game.