Box Score Photos by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. - The Whittier College Football team got their season underway Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field, but had their opener spoiled by Whitworth University 30-17 as special teams proved costly in the end.
With temperatures soaring over 100 degrees, the Poets were held to a total of 50 yards rushing (1.2 yards per rush) and converted only 25% of their third downs in the game, which saw Whittier under constant pressure from the Pirate defense.
The game started on a sour note for Whittier. Quarterback Steven Rivera (El Monte, Calif.) was sacked at his own six-yard line and fumbled, which was recovered in the end zone by the Poets for a safety.
Following a blocked punt on the Poets next series, the defense was called upon as they were backed up on their own eight-yard line. But Whittier came up big stopping Whitworth twice on the one-yard line to preserve the scoreless tie.
Whitworth moved deep into Whittier territory again late in the first quarter, again gaining first and goal after quarterback Ian Kolste ran to the Whittier six on fourth down. But the Poet defense held again, forcing a field goal attempt that failed when the snap didn't get all the way back to the holder.
Whittier had an opportunity on their next possession to take their first lead of the contest when freshman Eric Voss (Temecula, Calif.) was called upon to attempt a 38 yard field goal, but the Pirates Aaron Powe managed to get through the line and get a finger on the kick keeping the Poets off the scoreboard.
Then the Pirate offense got going. Kolste found Brett Moser over the middle and Moser took the pass 43 yards to the Whittier 28 yard line. Five plays later Griffin Hare scored from a yard out for a 9-0 lead.
On Whittier's next play from scrimmage Welstad drilled running back Marcell Blow (Lompoc, Calif.) in the backfield, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Paul Miller at the Poets' 26 yard line. Four plays later Duke Degaetano ran in from three yards away for a 16-0 lead.
Whittier shot itself in the foot again on the next possession when a snap got away from Blow, who was on to punt. Whitworth recovered at the 10 yard line and Kolste hit Fullman on the first play for a 23-0 lead with just under seven minutes to play in the half.
The Poets finally got on the board on their next possession when Rivera found Romell Smothers (Brea, Calif.) on a short pass whom then went 51 yards down the Whittier sideline for a touchdown to pull his team within 23-7.
Whittier then took momentum into halftime by converting a 27-yard field goal by Voss at the end of the second quarter to get within 23-10.
Out of the locker room, Whittier's Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.) kept the momentum in the Poets favor after he intercepted a Kolste pass putting Whittier in striking distance. Facing a 3rd and 11 situation, Rivera managed to connect with Blow on a 30 yard pass, which placed the ball inside the five-yard line. Following two false starts, the Poets were backed up but Rivera managed to scamper in from 15 yards out that pulled the Poets within six 23-17.
But the Pirate defense tightened up and never let Whittier back inside the redzone. Meanwhile a short punt set up Whitworth at the Poets' 40 yard line late in the third quarter. It took the Bucs six plays to score their final touchdown of the game. Nick Kiourkas took a shot as he caught the ball in the endzone, but held on to the ball for a 14-yard TD reception.
Whittier's last good scoring chance came midway through the fourth quarter when the Poets had first down at the Whitworth 20-yard line. But a sack by Dalin McDonell and Nick Spagnola moved the Poets back four yards. An incomplete pass and short run set up a fourth and 11 at the 21 and Jacob Sturtevant broke up the ensuing pass that turned the ball over on downs.
Taking over on their own 21 with 5:32 left in the game, the Pirates converted three first downs to use up the remaining clock, ending the possession at the Whittier 19 yard line.
Whittier for the game collected 25 first downs to only 14 for Whitworth and also held a slight edge in time of possession (30:52 -29:08).
Rivera led the Poets with 267 passing yards and two total touchdowns, while Erek Brown (San Dimas, Calif.) ran for 65 yards on 14 attempts to account for most of the Poets' rushing yards. Receiving Smothers hauled in three catches for 80 yards and a score. Phillips was the leader of the defense on the day, with 14 total tackles, including a sack as well as adding an interception.
Kolste led the offense for Whitworth with 250 yards passing and two touchdowns, with JT Phelan and Danny Welstad leading the defense. Phelan had 13 total tackles, while Welstad forced two fumbles, which led directly to Pirate points.
The Purple and Gold will look to record their first win when they return to action next Saturday, September 20th at 12:00pm when they host Lewis & Clark for their second non-conference game.
