REDLANDS, Calif. - After a 10-7 defensive struggle the last time Cal Lutheran and Redlands squared off in 2013, the Bulldogs flipped the script with a 59-27 victory on Saturday night at Ted Runner Stadium.
In the third ever battle for The Smudge Pot Trophy, which celebrates the heritage and history of the citrus industries in Ventura and San Bernadino Counties, the Bulldogs kept the trophy in their possession for the second straight year. Cal Lutheran turned the ball over six times giving up four interceptions and fumbling twice.
After Redlands jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Kingsmen answered back with a four-yard touchdown pass from Nick Isham to tight end Connor Allen to make it 14-7.
CLU matched Redlands point for point in the second quarter 21-21 but trailed 35-21 at half due to the big first quarter from the Bulldogs. Isham completed an eight-yard pass to Justin Bloom and had a rushing touchdown himself to keep the Kingsmen in striking distance for the second half.
The third quarter went just like the first quarter for Redlands which spelled bad news for CLU. Two more scores for the Bulldogs including a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown extended Redlands lead 49-21.
Ricky Johnson ran the ball in to the endzone on a three-yard play in the fourth quarter and a failed extra point gave the Kingsmen their final total of 27 points for the game.
The Bulldogs gained 566 yards including 374 on the ground compared to 415 yards for CLU. Isham had a big day yardage wise from the pocket, throwing for 346 yards on 35-of-55 pass attempts and two touchdowns but also threw four interceptions.
Andrew Worthley led the receiving corps in the game with 107 yards on seven receptions and Sean Bellotti had 89 yards on a game-high nine catches.
Trevor Roe recorded a game-high 14 tackles and Erron Christmas and Robert Foy were in double-digits with 11 and 10, respectively.
Cal Lutheran (1-3, 1-1 SCIAC) will look to get back in the win column when they return to Rolland Stadium for Homecoming against Pomona-Pitzer on Oct. 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 27, UR 59
CLU Twitter: https://twitter.com/clusports
Follow Coach McEnroe: @CLUCoachMac
CLU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clusports
CLU Instagram: http://instagram.com/clusports#
CLU Football Tumblr: http://clufootball.tumblr.com
