Poets stymied in 31-point loss to Redlands

REDLANDS, Calif. - The Whittier College football team dug itself in a hole it couldn't get out of Saturday evening at Ted Runner Stadium. The Poets were outscored 34-7 in the second quarter as the No. 25 Bulldogs won their third-consecutive game over WC in the 98th meeting between the two programs.

Whittier entered the game as the second ranked rushing offense in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference but had a difficult time running against the nation's top-ranked run defense.

The Poets (2-3, 0-2 SCIAC) averaged 202.8 yards rushing per game but were held to just 68 yards on 39 attempts. Redlands totaled 12 tackles-for-loss which includes six sacks for minus 34 yards.

Whittier's most successful rush came on its first play from scrimmage as Paul Schilling scampered 30 yards to answer Redland's opening drive score. The Poets worked down to the Bulldogs' 28-yardline but Kelly Maguire had the ball knocked loose and Whittier's five-play, 53-yard, drive came to an end.

On the ensuing possession the defense forced a Redlands punt which was blocked by Brad Seitz. The Poets took over on the Redlands 19-yardline but came away empty on the scoreboard. WC lost two yards on back-to-back rushing plays and a five-yard delay of game penalty pushed a field goal attempt from 37 yards to 42 yards. The kick sailed wide left and eight plays later Redlands led 14-0.

The purple and gold went to the air on its next possession and gained 57 yards on its first two plays. Maguire, who made his first collegiate start, found Anthony Bennett for 38 yards and Chris Delgado for 19 yards.

WC received an additional six-yards due to a roughing the passer call and four plays later Marcus Langkilde converted a fourth and goal from the one to cut the lead to 14-7.

That would prove to be as close as Whittier would get. Redlands had the ball four more times in the second quarter and came away with 27 points in just 2:35. The longest scoring drive was five plays and lasted 1:53.

Redlands led 41-7 at the half.

Whittier's second half touchdown came through the air. Maguire found Giovanni Stanley from eight-yard outs to make the score 44-13. WC's two point attempt failed.

Maguire finished the game 7-of-11 for 97 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Douglas Lawson played the fourth quarter and completed 8-fo-14 passes for 90 yards and one interception.

Bennett led all receivers with 101 yards on four catches and Schilling was the top ground gainer at 43 yards on seven carries.

Josh Lomeli had a team-high nine tackles. Brandon Boehm made four stops which includes one sack for an 11-yard loss.

Redlands outgained the Poets 358-255 despite running five fewer plays (64-59). The Poets held the advantage in time of possession at 34:39 to 25:21. WC averaged an even four yards per play while the Bulldogs had an average gain of 6.1 yards.

The Poets will look to get back to .500 for the season next weekend as it plays host to Pomona-Pitzer at 3 pm in the annual Homecoming game.