Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Whittier College Football team put together their best game of the season Saturday night as they nearly pulled off their first win falling 35-21 to Pomona-Pitzer at Merritt Field.

Whittier has now extended their losing skid to five games as they drop to 0-5 but put up 21 points, which is the largest offensive outpouring on the season.  The Purple & Gold attempted to stop the Sagehens who have been red hot now winning four in a row moving to 4-1, 3-0 SCIAC.

The Poets were led by freshman Michael Campbell (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) underneath center who completed 21-44 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns.  He moved Whittier up and down the field as they combined for 300 yards of total offense (239 Passing/61 Rushing).

Senior Lorenzo Mena (San Gabriel, Calif.) got the Poets off on the right track forcing and recovering a fumble on the Sagehens first possession but Whittier wasn't able to capitalize as they went seven plays before having to punt. 

Pomona-Pitzer got after it on their next series finding the endzone after a 16-play drive that covered 8:26 and 64 yards capped off with a one yard rushing touchdown from Odermann. 

In the second quarter, Whittier added their first points of the game with 13:25 to play in the half this time capitalizing on a Pomona-Pitzer turnover.  This time it was senior Austin Brasher (El Segundo, Calif.) who picked off Edward Sias and returned it 32 yards down to the PP 30.

Campbell would then take over and find Brian Phelan (Chino Hills, Calif.) for a 25-yard hookup that tied the game up at 7-7.

But Pomona-Pitzer would respond again going back down the field on their ensuing series going 12-plays and 83 yards with Sias finding Masini for a five-yard touchdown.

Right before the half though the Poets would again come up with another sustaining drive going 11-plays and 75 yards marching down the field with Campbell finding Brandon Wolford (Lakewood, Calif.) (11 Yards) and Bryson Sanders (Manteca, Calif.) (14 Yards, 21 Yards) before having Miguel Redmond (San Jose, Calif.) cap it off with a 15-yard rush that knotted things up at the half.

Pomona-Pitzer added the first score out of the break to go in front 21-14.  The Poets had a 22-yard field goal on their next possession blocked after bringing the ball down to the PP 5 yard line that would have ended a 12-play drive that covered 70 yards.

PP added insurance in the fourth with Odermann grabbing another rushing touchdown after the Sagehens went 91 yards in 16-plays.  Aseal Birir got into the scoring category soon after with a two yard rush that made the score 35-14 and that would prove enough despite Whittier tacking on another seven points with under four minutes to play.  Campbell found Joey Willm (Arcadia, Calif.) in the flat who then took it in from three yards out.

Redmond finished with 12 carries out of the backfield for 53 yards.  Phelan led the receiving core with three receptions for 59 yards averaging 19.7 yards per catch, while Sanders totaled 46 yards. 

Isaiah Guerrero (Riverside, Calif.) led the defense with nine tackles, while Richard Watkins (Riverside, Calif.) totaled eight.  Brasher had a strong game as well finishing with six tackles, while picking up two fumbles and returning an interception.                     

Whittier returns to action this Saturday, October 22 as they host Cal Lutheran University on Homecoming with gametime set for 5:00pm.