Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2021) – Senior wide receiver Moises Gonzalez (Long Beach, Calif. Long Beach Poly) of the Whittier College football became the program's career receptions king on Saturday night against SCIAC foe California Lutheran University.

Gonzalez picked up five catches for 45 yards, bringing his record-setting total to 158 with one game to spare next week. The yardage also brings his career receiving total over the 2,000-yard threshold, which now sits at 2,035. In addition to his contributions through the air, Gonzalez added 10 rushing yards to go with his receiving total and also attempted two passes.

The Poets' lone score of the game came courtesy of senior wide receiver Hakim Williams Jr. (Covina, Calif. / Covina). The wide out took a 90-yard kickoff to the house at around the eight-minute mark to give the visitors an answer to a Cal Lutheran touchdown on the prior possession. However, Head Coach Mike Neale opted to go for two, an aggressive call that would pay off for the Poets when sophomore Blake Boucher (Chino Hills, Calif. / Damien) completed a pass to put the home team on top, 8-7. Williams would go on to lead Whittier in receiving yards, totaling three catches for 78 yards, adding a long gain of 53 yards during the Poets' first drive of the fourth quarter.

On the other side of the ball, the Poets had their bright spots. Junior defensive back Andres Ruvalcaba (Chino, Calif. / Salesian) had 16 total tackles, more than any Poet has had in a single game this season with just five of the tackles coming with help from other defenders. Additionally, the Poets did great work on kickoff returns, Williams' 90-yard home run aside. Gonzalez returned three of his own, averaging 23 yards per return, while Ruvalcaba averaged 15.8 yards per return on four of his chances.

Neale and the Poets will play one final game in the 2021 regular season next weekend. They are set to host the University of Redlands on Saturday, Nov. 6 for Senior Day with kickoff slated for 1:05 p.m.

Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), Facebook, YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!