Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College football team after coming off a 31-19 loss to Occidental College last week traveled to Thousand Oaks to take on the Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran University only to fall 56-0.

Due to injuries and lack of personnel, Poets found it hard to compete with the Kingsmen.

In the first half, the Poets collected 129 yards from scrimmage including 124 through the air and 17 on the ground.  Sophomore Chris Lopez was 10-19 for 124 yards and a long completion of 47 yards.  On the receiving end Matt Asaro hauled in two catches for 68 yards with a long of 47.

For the game, Whittier collected 171 passing yards to go with 45 rushing yards.  Rufus Osby led the Poets in rushing with 20 yards on three attempts.

On the defensive side of the ball, Alex Mitchell hauled in his second interception of the season and returned it for 34 yards, while Jacob Former and Travis Driskell led the Poets in tackles with 13 and 11, each, respectively.

Driskell and Charles Scicli also had forced fumbles, but the Poets were unable to recover either one.  Scicli also had a sack for a five yard loss. 

Both Whittier and Cal Lutheran were deadlocked in time of possession with the Poets holding it for 27:38, while Cal Lutheran held it for 32:22.

Cal Lutheran was the aggressor in this afternoon's contest and it could be seen as they had 10 penalties for 103 yards, while the Poets had two for 15 yards.              

Next week on October 15 starting at 7pm, the Poets look for their second win of the season as they  take on the Panthers of Chapman University.