Overtime field goal gives UPS win over CMS in sloppy season-opener

CLAREMONT, Calif. – Early on in the fourth quarter, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team held a 13-point lead with the offense on the move. The game quickly turned however as the University of Puget Sound rallied and scored the final 16 points of the game, including the game-winning field goal in overtime, as UPS defeated CMS 22-19 on Sept. 5 at Zinda Field in the season-opener for both teams.

In a sloppy game from both teams, turnovers and special teams play hurt CMS in the end. Combined, the teams had 14 penalties, eight turnovers (CMS intercepted five passes), three missed field goals and four missed extra points.

CMS (0-1) led 19-6 in the fourth quarter and the offense was on the move in UPS territory with the chance to seal the win, but CMS fumbled and Puget Sound recovered on their own 32-yard line with 12:17 to play. Two plays later, Puget Sound (1-0) junior quarterback Hans Fortune threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to get within six points after the extra point.

Fortune had thrown three interceptions in the game prior to that touchdown pass, all three of which were intercepted by CMS sophomore defensive back Victor Bunce (CMC). Bunce's three interceptions tied a 20-year old program record, last achieved by Robbie Kay vs. Occidental on Nov. 16, 1985. Junior linebacker Gator Adams (CMC) and sophomore defensive back Geno Quaid (CMC) also had interceptions in the game for CMS.

After the ensuing kickoff with CMS in possession in their own territory, Puget Sound's Chris Beaulaurier intercepted junior quarterback Trey Reynolds (CMC) on the 30-yard line and returned it 22 yards and inside the CMS 10 yard line. Fortune then evened the score up at 19 with an 8-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Kevin Miller with 11:50 to play. With the chance to take the lead for the first time of the game, Puget Sound missed the extra point and the game remained tied. Miller led the team with nine receptions while Fortune passed for 336 yards. Reynolds threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns with one interception for CMS.

Over the remainder of the fourth quarter, both teams each had three possessions, but neither team could seal the win in regulation. 

In overtime, CMS had possession first, but an incomplete pass on fourth-and-one turned the ball over to Puget Sound. Puget Sound looked to have won the game with a touchdown on its third play, but a holding call brought the play back. Three plays later, Sawyer Petre kicked the game-winning field goal from 24-yards out to give Puget Sound the win.

The game started out promising for CMS as they jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, on their second possession of the game, with a 9-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Shane Pico (CMC). That was all set up by Bunce's first interception which he picked off in the endzone and returned 60 yards. Pico finished with 56 yards rushing for CMS while junior running back Nick Gott (HMC) rushed for a game-high 78 yards. All told, CMS had 381 yards of total offense with 159 coming on the ground.

Puget Sound evened the score at 6-6 with 12:27 left in the first half when sophomore quarterback Tanner Diebold scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown. The second touchdown of the first half for CMS gave them a 12-6 lead with 1:49 before halftime when Reynolds found sophomore wideout Trey Smith (CMC) wide open over the middle of the field for 45-yard touchdown. Smith led CMS' receiving core with six catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Tyler Stanek (CMC) also had a touchdown for CMS in the game, his coming in the fourth quarter. 

All three first half touchdowns were followed by missed extra points for the 12-6 score at the break. Puget Sound's offense moved inside CMS' 20-yard line on four occasions besides its touchdown, and each time the CMS defense turned them away (two interceptions and two missed field goals).

On defense, CMS sophomore linebacker Brendan MacDonald (CMC) came up with a game-high 14 tackles, while Adams and junior linebacker Jared Schattenkerk (CMC) each had eight tackles. 

It is the second-straight season that UPS defeated CMS by three points. Last year CMS lost 13-10 to UPS in Tacoma.

CMS is next in action on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Lewis & Clark in Portland, Ore. with kickoff set for 1 p.m. Live stats and video for the game can be found here. Fans, if you are making the trip to Portland or live in the area, Claremont McKenna College is hosting a pre-game tailgate. Information and registration can be found here.

Box score

by Chris Watts
Director of Athletics Communication
Claremont McKenna College

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