WHITTIER, Calif. – Sept. 5, 2026, marked the return of football to Whittier College as the Poets hosted Simpson University in their first game since 2022. Nearly 2,500 Whittier family members, friends and fans packed Memorial Stadium to celebrate the program's return.
The Red Hawks received the opening kickoff and capped a seven-play drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead. Whittier went three-and-out on its opening possession and was forced to punt.
Gavyn France recorded the Poets' first takeaway of the season with an interception. Although Whittier was unable to capitalize on the turnover, the Poets pinned the Red Hawks at their own 15-yard line.
Whittier's defense responded again, forcing a fourth down and giving the ball back to quarterback J.P. Gonzales and the offense. However, the Poets were forced to punt once again.
Whittier and Simpson traded possessions to close out the first quarter with the Red Hawks leading, 7-0.
Just over a minute into the second quarter, Simpson added another touchdown on the ground to extend its advantage to 14-0.
After another Whittier drive stalled, Simpson added a three-yard rushing touchdown to take a 21-0 lead.
The Poets answered through the air as Gonzales connected with wide receiver
Eddie Don for a 19-yard touchdown pass, marking Whittier's first touchdown since the return of the program. Kicker
Preston Yado converted the extra point to cut the deficit to 21-7.
Simpson responded with another scoring drive with 1:30 remaining in the half, sending Whittier into the locker room trailing, 28-7.
The Poets received the ball to begin the second half but were forced to punt. Simpson responded with another rushing touchdown to extend its lead to 35-7.
After Whittier turned the ball over on its next possession, defensive back
Angel Escandon picked off Simpson for the Poets' second interception of the night.
With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Simpson scored its fifth rushing touchdown to increase its advantage to 42-7.
The Poets' offense responded with a four-play scoring drive led by running back James Taylor. Taylor moved Whittier into Red Hawk territory with a 30-yard run before finishing the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run to make it 42-14.
Simpson added two more touchdowns before the final whistle to secure a 56-14 victory.
Gonzales finished with 172 passing yards and a touchdown, while Taylor led the ground game with 116 rushing yards on 15 attempts and a score. Don tallied three receptions for 38 yards and hauled in Gonzales' lone touchdown pass. Wide receiver
Marco Joseph gained 91 yards receiving on 7 receptions.
Defensively, France recorded an interception and a pass breakup, while Escandon added Whittier's second interception of the night.
Whittier will return to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Poets welcome CETYS Universidad for an international matchup at 5 p.m.
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