Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College senior day was spoiled Saturday afternoon as the Bulldogs high powered offense came into Memorial Stadium and pulled off a 63-40 victory to finish in second place in the SCIAC standings. 

Redlands who hasn't allowed a point in their past two contests gave up 30 points and 512 yards of total offense to the Poets' offensive unit who averages 525 yards of total offense a game and is one of the top ranked offenses in the country. 

Whittier finishes the 2012 season 4-5, 3-4 SCIAC, their best finish since 2007 when they finished 4-5, 3-3 SCIAC.

Highlighted by a 31 point second quarter, Redlands tallied 45 points in the first half en route to the 23 point triumph.  The Purple & Gold jumped out in front 7-0 after they capitalized off of good field position after a 10 yard punt put the Poets on the Redlands 13 yard line.  Four plays later, Anthony Walker rushed it in from a yard out to put Whittier in front early.  On the Bulldogs ensuing series and on their first play from scrimmage, Trevor Phillips forced a fumble of Brad Cristanty, which gave the Poets great field position once again starting on the Redlands 36.

Eight plays later, Whittier's Walker mirrored his previous score by again rushing it in from a yard out that put Whittier in front 14-0. 

Redlands then began chipping away at the Poet lead as Cristanty led the Bulldog offensive attack scoring on Redlands next series from eight yards out that cut the Poet lead in half.  Whittier continued to move the ball however and went 39 yards on seven plays capped off by a 53 yard field goal by Douglas Soriano, which was his career long.  This put Whittier in front 17-7. 

On the ensuing kickoff, Redlands Taylor Irwin ran it back 75 yards that put the Bulldogs in striking distance and two plays later, Chad Hurst connected with Mark Richardson II from `17 yards out that pulled the maroon and grey within three.

Opening up the second quarter, Whittier struck first as Steven Rivera found a wide open Bryon Edwards down the seam for a 43 yard scoring strike that wrapped up a 10 play 97 yard drive that took up 4:01.  This was Edwards's fifth reception of the season and his first touchdown of the season.  But again on the next return, Redlands Irwin returned it 42 yards that again setup the Bulldog offensive unit with yet another short field.  But the Poet defensive unit stood strong and forced Redlands to kick a field goal keeping their lead intact. 

But this lead would soon diminish as the Poets turned the ball over twice with a fumble by Walker and an interception thrown by Rivera all within a minute's time that led to 14 points put up by Redlands ultimately giving them their first lead of the contest 31-24. 

This was just the beginning as Redlands rattled off 26 straight points to move their lead to 57-24 behind two field goals, a touchdown rush by Hurst, and two scoring strikes to Irwin and Richardson II.    Whittier didn't go away though as they mounted a late comeback beginning with a 28 yard field goal by Soriano followed by a 58 yard pass and catch from Rivera to Kimble Tillman down the sideline on the second play from scrimmage.  This brought the Poets within 27 and despite a late touchdown with eight seconds to play from Rivera to Dameron Fooks, the Poets were unable to cut into the deficit allowing Redlands to come away with the victory.

Whittier combined for 512 yards of total offense (467 Passing; 45 Rushing), while Redlands finished with 555 yards of total offense (224 Passing; 331 Rushing).  The Poets were led on offense by Fooks who finished with 11 catches for 171 yards averaging 15.5 yards a catch.  With his final ten yard touchdown reception he broke the single season mark for receiving yards capping off a spectacular career at Whittier College.

Junior Matt Asaro was close behind as he again finished with his second 100 yard game finishing with 10 receptions for 131 yards.  On the ground, the Poets were led by Walker who rushed for 45 yards and two touchdowns, while Rivera threw the air finished with 467 yards passing to go with three touchdowns.

On defense, the Poets saw three players reach double digit tackles including Charles Scicli (12), Taylor Holland (11), and Nathan Poole (10), while Nick Alcantar and Brandon Wilcox finished with eight tackles a piece.  The Purple & Gold combined for six tackles for losses and forced two fumbles. 

Whittier loses 22 seniors to graduation including Tillman, Alex Mitchell, Josh Callanan, Blake Tillis, Jason Manalili, Vince Evans, Fooks, Richard Hopkins, Scott Dinov, Kelly Johnson, Soriano, Rufus Osby, John O'Malley, Scicli, Trevor Marioni, Idean Vandi, Steele Frey, Wilcox, Patrick Sweigart, Efrain Gonzalez, Oscar Hernandez, and Jacob Welch.

Head Coach Todd Stratton looks forward to having an entire year to recruit as he begins preparing for 2013 building upon this seasons success.