Football Picks Up First Win, Scurlock Scores Four TD's

Josh Scurlock '08 scored four touchdowns and rushed for 106 yards to lead Whittier College to a 28-26 victory at the University of Puget Sound on September 22.  The win evens the Poets record at 1-1 heading into conference play and avenges a 26-19 loss to the Loggers last season.

The Poets got things going on defense in the first quarter with an interception by Ryan Munoz '10 to give Whittier the ball in Puget Sound territory.  A Logger unsportsmanlike penalty moved the Poets even closer, and on the next play Scurlock connected with Josh Ollison '11 for the first of his three touchdown passes on the day.  This one was 25-yard strike that broke the scoreless tie and put the Poets out in front.  UPS answered on their next possession, however, with an eight-play, 59-yard scoring drive that ended with a 17 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Spencer Crace to John Lorge.  The Poets took the lead again three minutes later when Scurlock scrambled into the end zone from six yards out, giving Whittier a 14-7 lead at the end of the opening quarter. 

Both offenses were stymied by tough defense in the second quarter until Puget Sound broke through with 3:17 left in the half.  A 62-yard passing play set up a two-yard touchdown run by Silas Paul and the extra point knotted the score at 14-14.  The Poets jumped back out in front on their next possession when Scurlock completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Briggs '08.  Ben Walker '08 added the PAT to give Whittier the 21-14 lead as the first half came to a close.

In the third quarter, the Loggers went 41 yards on two plays, ending with a nine-yard touchdown run from James Olcott.  The ensuing PAT failed, allowing the Poets to keep a narrow 21-20 lead.  On the next Poets possession, they extended their lead with a ten-yard touchdown pass from Scurlock to Anthony Capaletti '09.  The Walker extra point was good, giving the Poets an eight point advantage with 5:43 left in the third.  Once again, as it was the theme throughout the game, the Loggers answered back with a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive that resulted in another rushing touchdown from Paul, this one from a yard out.  UPS went for the two-point conversion, but Crace's pass attempt fell incomplete and left the Loggers down two going into the final stanza.

Defense prevailed in the fourth quarter, as both teams went three-and-out twice combining for six yards of offense.  The Loggers broke the trend on a drive that began at their own eleven yard line and marched 63 yards down the field.  With 3:49 left in the game, Whittier's Steffen Santos ‘09 sacked Crace and forced a fumble that was recovered by Arlo Castelo '08.  The Poets were able to pick up a pair of first downs on the ensuing possession, running out the clock and taking home the 28-26 win.

Scurlock led the Poets offense going 18-for-36 with 172 yards and three touchdowns in the air and was the leading rusher with 106 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown.  Briggs was his favorite target on the day, catching eight passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. 
Defensively, Castelo led the Poets with 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks and the big fumble recovery in the final minutes of the game.  Jared Izidoro '08 also recorded 1.5 sacks.

Puget Sound was led by Crace, who went 17-for-29 passing with 277 yards, a touchdown and an interception.  Their leading receiver was Darrell Stewart who caught seven passes for 152 yards.  Paul was their leading rusher with 53 yards on the ground.

The Poets begin conference play on September 29, when Pomona-Pitzer comes to town for a 7pm game.