Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – Eight turnovers, which included three pick-sixes proved costly Saturday afternoon as the Whittier College football team dropped their second straight game falling 55-12 to Austin College.

Whittier would get on the scoreboard with a 37-yard field goal from Eric Voss (Temecula, Calif.) on their first possession that capped off an 11-play, 54-yard drive, but wouldn't add anything else until the 10:00 mark in the fourth when Voss would tack on a 45-yard field goal.

The Poets lone touchdown came with 5:44 to play when Josh Thomas (Compton, Calif.) would run it in from a yard out that finished a 71-yard drive in six plays, but the Kangaroos would add another two touchdowns that put the game out of reach.

Madison Ross proved tough to stop on the afternoon as the Roo's running back would finish with 207 yards rushing and three touchdowns, which included runs of 57, 8, and 15. 

But turnovers were the tail of the game, as junior transfer Justin Moore (Folsom, Calif.) would throw four picks, which included two returns from 52 and 45 yards out, that proved crucial down the stretch.

Whittier compiled 371 yards of total offense (290 Passing/81 Rushing), while Austin College totaled 336 yards rushing and 430 yards of total offense.

Miguel Redmond (San Jose, Calif.) led the rushing attack with 45 yards on 15 carries, Justin Vlahos (Bakersfield, Calif.) led the receiving core with six catches for 72 yards, averaging 12.0 yards per catch, while Moore was 18-for-46 for 190 yards.

Diego Villasenor (Linda, Calif.) led the defensive unit with a career high 17 tackles (6 solo/11 assisted), Gregorio Verdugo (San Diego, Calif.) also had a career high in tackles with 14 (2 solo/12 assisted), and Austin Brasher (El Segundo, Calif.) totaled 10 tackles (3 solo/7 assisted) along with a sack and two tackles for losses.          

Whittier has a bye week coming up as they prepare for Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play on Saturday, October 3 when they travel to Thousand Oaks, Calif. to take on the Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran University beginning at 7:00pm.