Offense and defense showcased in 49-3 rout of Whittier

WHITTIER, Calif. – In the same game that the defense only allowed 50 rushing yards, the offense scored six touchdowns, resulting in a 49-3 win for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team over Whittier. The Stags retain sole possession of second place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) with the win and improves to 5-1, 6-2 overall.

The Stags owned the first two scores of the game, taking an early 14-0 lead. CMS first got the ball with a fumble forced by Brendan MacDonald (CMC) and recovered by Victor Bunce (CMC) on their own 25-yardline. In the Stags' second drive, junior quarterback Trey Reynolds (CMC) connected with sophomore receiver Trey Smith (CMC) for 37 yards before rushing for 16 yards himself. Reynolds then threw to tight end Chris Cziesla (CMC) in the end zone to go up 7-0.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Whittier attempted a 31-yard field goal only to miss it right for the Stags to maintain their lead.

Midway through the second quarter, sophomore running back Andrew Segre (CMC) broke through and ran for 33 yards. Reynolds alternated going from Matthew Orehek (CMC) to Segre, ultimately earning the 14-0 advantage off a 13 yard reception by Orehek and PAT by Matthew Aven (CMC).

This was the first of three touchdowns for Orehek, two receiving and one rushing, on the night win just six touches of the ball. Orehek' success as an all-purpose player was recognized by the coaching staff.

The Poets' only score came after a long completion across midfield all the way to CMS' 22-yardline. In the rest of the drive, the Stag defense limited Whittier to a maximum of five yards. Then, Gator Adams (CMC) and Andrew Frick (CMC) combined for a big stop on third down, forcing the Poets to settle for a field goal.

With 0:53 on the clock in the first half, CMS drove 80 yards to push the Stags' advantage up to three scores. Reynolds completed passes to Lucas Owan (CMC), Tyler Stanek (CMC) and then found Orehek again for the touchdown.

Early in the third quarter, sophomore Geno Quaid (CMC) picked off a Whittier pass at the 24-yardline and returned it for a defensive touchdown. Aven was 7-for-7 kicking extra points in the game, increasing his season percentage to 88%.

After yet another three and out by the Poets, Sam Healy (CMC) came into the game and rushed for a collective 21 yards during the ensuing drive. Cziesla made a seven yard reception for his second touchdown catch of the game as the Stags pulled far beyond reach for Whittier at 42-3.

In CMS' final scoring drive, senior Cameron Griffin (CMC) ran six times, setting up Healy's touchdown pass to tight end Patrick Dixon (CMC).

The Whittier offense amassed only 230 yards in comparison to CMS' 462. The Stag defensive line held the Poets' run game to just 50 yards, the second lowest of the year (Lewis & Clark only managed 35 yards on the ground).

MacDonald led all players with 13 tackles followed by Paul Slaats (HMC) with eight, including a big sack in the third quarter.

This is the second consecutive year that the Stags have kept Whittier to just three points. Last year, CMS held the Poets to a mere 46 total yards of offense.

Next up for the Stags is Pomona-Pitzer (2-6, 1-5 SCIAC)0 on Homecoming, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.

Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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