CLU Sports

The California Lutheran University football team fell to the Willamette Bearcats 14-7 on Saturday in Salem, Ore.

Cal Lutheran dropped to 0-2 overall after the loss while the Bearcats picked up its first win, now at 1-2.

After a scoreless opening 29 minutes the Bearcats scored touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Grant Leslie with six seconds remaining in the first half. The score capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive by Willamette, which included two key third-down conversions.

Jericho Toilolo came in to relieve R.J. Benedict at quarterback in the first half and on CLU’s first possession of the second half he led the team down to Willamette’s seven-yard line. After the Kingsmen failed to punch the ball in the end zone, kicker Connor Pearce had his 23-yard field goal attempt blocked by WU defensive back Ryan Bettencourt.

The Bearcats added another score in the fourth quarter when running back C.J. Washington scampered in from six-yards out to put Willamette up 14-0. Quarterback Ryan Whitcomb had a big 34-yard run during the five play, 60-yard scoring drive.

The Kingsmen cut the lead in half after running back Jose Rojas reached the end zone from three yards out. The score capped a Cal Lutheran drive of 67 yards on 11 plays. Following the score with 3:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Kingsmen attempted an onside kick but failed to recover.

Benedict started the game at quarterback and completed 4-of-8 pass attempts for 24 yards. Tolilolo entered late in the first half and finished the game 7-of-13 for 58 yards. The sophomore also rushed for a team-high 20 yards. Chris Hammond led all CLU receivers with five catches for 46 yards. Rojas was featured in the backfield but managed just 16 yards on 15 carries.

Linebacker Austin Jones led the Kingsmen for the second straight week, recording 10 tackles to go along with a fumble recovery. Jacob Calderon picked up CLU’s only sack and added three tackles for loss. Defensive back Garrett Redd tied Jones for the team-lead with 10 tackles of his own. Fellow defensive back Samuel Lyche intercepted WU’s Grant Leslie and added four tackles.

Overall the Bearcats totaled 339 yards of offense compared to just 115 for Cal Lutheran. The Kingsmen ground game accounted for only 33 yards of that figure. Time of possession was heavily in favor of Willamette as the Bearcats held the ball offensively for over 40 minutes.

The Kingsmen have a bye next week and open up SCIAC play on Sept. 29 at La Verne, scheduled for a 1 pm start.