Wild ride for Stags to snatch 45-42 win over Occidental

CLAREMONT, Calif. – With a minute and 18 seconds remaining, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team trailed Occidental by 13 points only to win in regulation by the score of 45-42. In yet another exciting game in the 2015 season, the Stags managed 22 points in the fourth quarter to beat Occidental on Zinda Field on a hot Saturday afternoon to improve to 3-1 in SCIAC and 4-2 overall.

The topsy-turvy fourth quarter began with two unsuccessful drives before the Stags got the ball on the 50 yard line with 11:15 on the clock. A big reception by junior tight end Patrick Dixon (CMC) for 25 yards set up sophomore running back Shane Pico (CMC) to complete the drive and give CMS the 29-27 lead.

The Tigers quickly earned three first downs and tacked on six more points giving the ball to star running back Kwame Do for the touchdown and then a successful two point conversion. The two-time SCIAC athlete of the week, Do, ultimately ran for 159 yards, netting 94% of the run game and 34% of Oxy's total offense.

CMS seemed to have sunk themselves into too big of a hole when junior quarterback Trey Reynolds (CMC) threw an interception giving the Tigers the ball on the Stags' 29 yard line. Do rushed in the final yards on the next two plays to give Occidental the 42-29 lead at the 1:18 mark.

In the first play of the Stags' next drive, Reynolds connected with Ryan Farney (CMC) 25 yards down the field only to have the ball come loose but miraculously recovered by sophomore Trey Smith (CMC) for a CMS first down. Reynolds found Connor Stastny (CMC) and then Smith in the end zone to bring the Stags within six points.

An onside kick by junior Matthew Aven (CMC) was recovered by Will Edwards (CMC) to give CMS another life from mid-field. With excellent clock management and deft catches by Smith, CMS blew down the field for yet another touchdown to tie up the game at 42-42. The ensuing point after by Aven gave CMS their second lead in the fourth quarter alone.

As time expired on the kickoff by the Stags, Occidental's returner fumbled the ball only to have it bounce into the Tigers' end zone for a wacky safety to end the game.

Forty five points is the most CMS has scored since the quintuple overtime 49-46 win against Whittier on Oct. 26, 2013.

Interesting and unusual plays were found in more than just the fourth quarter.

In the first half, CMS had three opportunities at touchdowns that were each negated for a different reason.  The first two came in CMS' initial drive. Reynolds hit Farney in the back right corner of the end zone but the pass was ruled incomplete as Farney did not have possession while still in play. On the subsequent play, Andrew Segre (CMC) ran in 14 yards but a concurrent holding penalty called it back and forced the Stags to try for a field goal. In a very odd play in the second quarter, Smith filled in as a running back and, as he dove toward the goal line near the right pylon, fumbled the football through the end zone, resulting in a touchback for Occidental.

After Occidental broke the 21-21 tie in the third quarter to go up 27-21, the Stags' Andrew Sova (CMC) blocked the point after attempt. Gator Adams (CMC) scooped up the loose ball and pitched it to Geno Quaid (CMC) who went the distance, earning CMS what would become two very important points.

On the day, Reynolds threw for 274 yards and, thanks to a spectacular performance by his offensive line, suffered just one sack. CMS put together 572 yards of offense including 298 yards on the ground. The running back duo of Pico and Segre ran for 194 and 78 yards respectively.

Victor Bunce (CMC) added two more interceptions to his already nation-leading seven picks. With nine so far this season, he will be a contender to lead all NCAA divisions.

Defensively, James Ingram (CMC) led all Stags with 9.0 total tackles and one pass breakup. Brendan MacDonald (CMC), Adams and Paul Slaats (HMC) contributed significantly as well.

Next up for the Stags is a road trip to Cal Lutheran on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Cal Lu is currently 2-1 in SCIAC play and playing at Chapman tonight.

Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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