Fball: Offense Struggles Against SCIAC #3 Defense

Whittier College Football lost 31-6 when they traveled to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on November 8.  The Poets compiled only 106 yards of total offense and allowed 30 or more points for the seventh straight game as their record falls to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in SCIAC play.

The Claremont defense got things started with an interception on the games' first play from scrimmage.  It took their offense just two plays to find pay dirt on a DJ Lillard eight-yard touchdown run and they lead 7-0 less than a minute into the game.

The Poets fought back, forcing a three-and-out later in the first quarter.  On the ensuing possession, the Poet offense drove 80 yards on ten plays capped by a nine-yard touchdown run from Anthony Pomponio '09, his ninth touchdown of the season.  The failed extra point attempt left Whittier trailing 7-6.

It was the most offense the Poets could string together however, and they didn't sustain a drive longer than 15 yards for the rest of the game.  Claremont took advantage, scoring twice more in the first half to take a 21-6 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Stags scored once in the third quarter, capping a six-play, 51-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Mike McNeece to Nick Marineau.  They capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 38-yard field goal with 10:36 left in the game.  They went on to take the 31-6 victory.

The Poets wrap up their season in the Battle for the Shoes at Occidental College on November 15.  Kick off is scheduled for 1:00pm.