CLAREMONT, Calif. (Sept. 10, 2022)- In the first game of the season, the Whittier College Poet Football team comes up short in the non-conference game against the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. 

The Poets opened up the game trailing, as they gave up an early touchdown to CMS. After a quick first drive and another CMS touchdown, the Poets looked to make their move in their second drive. Sitting at 3rd and 13 on their own 22-yard line, sophmore-transfer quarterback, Mark Rodriguez, dropped back and found Jalen Jolley for a 28-yard pass. This set the Poets up to start the second quarter near mid-field. 

The Poets then would rush the ball to get to the Mudd-Scripts 36, before an interception would give the ball to the opposing team. Whittier would enter half-time down 28-0, with the hopes of a strong second-half comeback.

The Poets could not quiet find their groove in the second half, before back-up quarterback, Jonathan Martin, found Jolley for another big play. This play would go down as a 33-yard reception and set the Poets up to get into striking distance of their first score. Unfortunately, the drive would not end up with the Poets getting on the scoreboard. 

The Poets would fall in their season opener to CMS by a final score of 42-0. The standout of this game was Jalen Jolley, who caught three passes for 71-yards. On the defensive side the Poets were led by Enrique Santana, Aaron Martinez, and Andres Ruvalcaba, who would all record double-digit tackles. 

Whittier will look to capture their first win of the season on September 17th, as they host Lewis & Clark at 11:00 am for their home-opener at Memorial Stadium. 

This game can be streamed on the Whittier College Sports Network. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com