WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2022) - The Whittier Poets fell to the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen under the Saturday night lights at Memorial Stadium, dropping the conference opener 45-0.

On the first drive of the contest, Aaron Martinez made a key tackle, forcing Cal Lu to settle for a field goal, an encouraging start for the Poets defense. Martinez had a game-high 12 tackles on the night.

Throughout the evening, Whittier made several outstanding defensive plays.

Senior defensive back Sam Aseh (pictured above) had an interception he returned for 23 yards and a pass breakup, senior linebacker Jacob Hayes forced a fumble and freshman Dylan Leach recovered it, the first fumble recovery of his young career.

Senior linebacker Enrique Santana made another good showing, recording seven tackles and breaking up two passes. Senior defensive back Andres Ruvalcaba posted six tackles of his own, including one for a loss.

The longest play of the game for the Poets was a 15-yard completion from Mark Rodriguez to sophomore David Contreras, who also had two carries Saturday night.

Junior running back Chandler McCaffer's 10-yard run was the longest of his collegiate career. The Whittier native tallied 14 rushing yards on three carries for an average of 4.9 yards per carry.

Freshman quarterback Mario Martinez made his collegiate debut for the Poets, attempting one pass he did not complete. Whittier had four different players under center in the game: Rodriguez, Martinez, junior Jonathan Martin and freshman Adam Pinard.

Poets punter Sean Aldana had another busy game, punting the ball eight times, including a 68-yarder and two inside the Kingsmen's 20-yard-line.

Whittier has a bye week coming up before traveling to La Verne to challenge the Leopards at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography