CLAREMONT, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2022) - The Poets fell to the Sagehens on the road Saturday night, 43-12, putting forth a more competitive performance than when the last time these teams last met Sept. 14 in Whittier.

Freshman Adam Pinard received his first career collegiate start at quarterback but only played the first quarter, giving way to junior Jonathan Martin in the second and third and sophomore Mark Rodriguez in the fourth. Rodriguez led the team in rushing with 25 yards on five carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run.

The other Whittier score came through the air from Martin to junior transfer wide receiver Jalen Jolley. The five-yard touchdown pass cut the Poets' deficit to 14-6 with 7:48 left in the second quarter and was Jolley's third as a Poet.

The Poets sacked the Sagehens three times, including one-and-a-half for senior Jacob Mercado and a half each for senior linebacker Enrique Santana, senior defensive lineman Nicholas Hanamaikai and freshman linebacker Anthony Villalobos. It was the Canoga Park High School alumnus' first time taking down an opposing quarterback behind the line of scrimmage as a collegian.

Freshman linebacker DJ Williams led Whittier in tackles for the fourth straight game with 12 total (six solo and six assisted), and senior linebacker Mark Martinez contributed eight total, his second-most of the 2022 campaign.

A week after hauling in a 32-yard reception, Tyson Tapley set a career high with a 36-yard catch from Rodriguez. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native's previous career high also came against Pomona-Pitzer, a 33-yard catch on Sept. 11, 2021.

The junior also connected with Martin for a 32-yard gain and collected four receptions for 76 yards in the contest.

In the closing seconds of the first half, senior defensive back Sam Aseh intercepted the Sagehens' quarterback around the Poets' 10-yard-line and returned the pick for 17 yards. It was the El Monte native's second interception of the season.

Senior Sean Aldana had an eight-yard run in the game and also kicked a 55-yard punt. Two of his punts ended up inside the Sagehens' 20-yard-line.

The Poets' final game of the season kicks off Saturday, Nov. 12 at the University of Redlands (1 p.m.).

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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