The University of Redlands football team kicked off the 2014 season with a challenging opponent in No. 2/3 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday evening in Belton, TX. In the teams' fourth meeting since 2011, the Bulldogs successfully kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard for the first 13 minutes of the game but struggled to create any offensive momentum, resulting in the 0-36 defeat.
"We want to be the best so we need to play the best. Overall, it is positive for us to get into these kinds of events in this kind of arena against competition of this magnitude," commented Head Coach Mike Maynard.
After the teams traded three-and-out drives, the Bulldog defense stepped up to halt the home team at the Redlands 19-yard line. As the Crusaders moved within striking distance of the game's first score, the Maroon and Gray forced UMHB to settle for a 36-yard field-goal attempt, which misfired to the left of the uprights. During this drive, junior defensive back Curran Fudge(Oklahoma City, OK), freshman linebacker Mitch Shepherd (Seattle, WA), and senior defensive back Stephen Reyes (Kingsburg, CA) stepped up with two or more tackles or break-ups.
On Redlands' subsequent drive, the offense worked to create some success, as junior quarterback Kevin Russell (Lacey, WA) connected with two receivers for a combined 12 yards. Senior wide receiver Sam Angelo (Woodinville, WA) and junior wide receiver Stephen Rodriguez (Brentwood, CA) reeled in quality catches in back-to-back succession, but a loss of three yards on the opening play of the drive left the Maroon and Gray just short of the first down.
The Bulldog defense once again came up big by denying the Crusaders' first down on their next opportunity with a quality stop by senior linebackerMichael Tootle (Las Vegas, NV) and senior defensive lineman Jordan Bixler(Redlands, CA).
Redlands continued to battle throughout the opening quarter, allowing UMHB to score only by a safety with 1:45 to go.
Unfortunately, this slight change in momentum proved to be enough for the Crusaders, as the home team produced back-to-back scoring drives during the second frame.
However, late in the second quarter, Redlands worked to disrupt UMHB's offensive rhythm with consecutive interceptions. While facing third and 10 on their own 12-yard line, the Bulldogs looked to Reyes to haul in his third career interception. On the Crusaders' next drive, it was third and four on the 14, when junior defensive back DJ Dawson Jr. (Atwater, CA) came up with the big pick and then returned it for 45 yards. This was also Dawson's third career interception but his longest return thus far.
Despite bright spots at the end of the half, the Redlands team struggled to enter the Crusader end zone in a difficult loss to the familiar foe.
Overall, Fudge led the Bulldog defense with 16 total tackles on the night, while Shepherd amassed 14 tackles in his Redlands debut. Tootle, Hoffman, and Reyes all raked in 10 or more tackles as well.
Offensively, senior wide receiver James Ramirez (La Verne, CA) served as Russell's top target with six catches for 72 yards.
Junior punter Sean Murray (Phoenix, AZ) stayed busy in his first appearance in a Maroon and Gray uniform with 13 opportunities for 531 yards.
Redlands (0-1) looks to rebound when it welcomes No. 4 Linfield College (OR) to Ted Runner Stadium on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. Prior to the game, the University of Redlands Town & Gown and Bulldog Athletics are co-hosting "Rah Rah Redlands." The annual family-friendly festival includes open swim at the Thompson Aquatic Center from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a variety of food trucks, a kids' zone, music, and more, beginning at 4 p.m. The event takes place inside Ted Runner Stadium, just steps away from the West end zone.
Ticket sales for "Rah Rah Redlands" and the home football opener begin at 2:45 p.m. at the Frank Serrao Gateway. Cost is $10 for adults and includes admission to the game. A family-pass for four or more is available for $35. Redlands students with ID and children under 12 are free. Cost is $5 for Bulldog football season pass-holders and Bulldog football parents on the pass list with ID.