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Redlands Football Wins Smudge Pot Trophy, Halts CLU Kingsmen’s SCIAC Streak

More news about: Redlands

The University of Redlands football team captured the 2013 Smudge Pot Trophy with a 10-7 victory over Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, ending the Kingsmen's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) win-streak at 28 games.  Amidst a defensive struggle, the Bulldogs stepped up with key stops throughout the game while limiting CLU to its lowest number of rushing yards this season with 114.

During Redlands' second possession of the contest, the team marched its way down the field to put up the only points of the first half with a 21-yard field goal by senior kicker Kevin Grady (Seattle, WA).  Sophomore running back Curtis Tanquary (San Jose, CA) provided the big yardage of the drive, carrying the ball 22 yards on first and 10.  He went on to lead the Bulldog offense with 161 rushing yards on 29 attempts for a career-best performance.

On the subsequent CLU drive, the Maroon and Gray forced the Kingsmen to punt, thanks in part to big defensive stops by senior defensive linemanSean Woods (Victorville, CA) and junior linebacker Michael Tootle (Las Vegas, NV).  This Bulldog duo combined to lead the team with 13.5 total tackles between them.

Following the halftime break, junior linebacker Caleb Lenard (Rifle, CO) continued the defensive pressure on CLU's opening drive, sacking the quarterback for a loss of two yards.  On third and eight for the Kingsmen, the pass play came up short, with senior defensive back Brandon Morris (Mission Viejo, CA) making the tackle.

The Bulldog offense kept things rolling by constructing a seven-play, 57-yard drive for a touchdown late in the third quarter.  After Tanquary exploded for 37 yards on second and seven, he later found space into the end zone on a one-yard scamper, putting Redlands up by a score of 10-0.

Although CLU eventually answered with its own touchdown, the Bulldogs' three-point lead held up through the final ticks of the clock.  A pair of late turnovers provided the Kingsmen with opportunities to hit the game-tying field goal, but both attempts missed the mark, allowing Redlands to capture its first win over CLU since 2007.

In addition, the Maroon and Gray successfully possessed the ball throughout the game, recording 37 minutes, compared to CLU's 23.

With tonight's win, Head Coach Mike Maynard improves to 14-9 against Cal Lutheran.

Beginning in 2012, the Smudge Pot Trophy is a perpetual trophy that celebrates the heritage and history of the citrus industries in San Bernardino and Ventura counties.  The winner of the annual game between Cal Lutheran and Redlands is presented with the Smudge Pot, earning the honor to paint it in the respective school colors while hosting the trophy until the next meeting.

The Bulldogs (2-2, 2-0 SCIAC) look forward to returning to the friendly confines of Ted Runner Stadium on Saturday, October 19, when they host the University of La Verne in a 7 p.m. showdown.  The University of Redlands celebrates Homecoming that weekend, beginning with the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday night in Orton Center. 

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
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