THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran football team has been waiting all season for a signature victory over an opponent with a winning record.
It finally arrived Saturday night.
Junior Nick Isham threw for 417 yards and a program record-tying six touchdowns as CLU defeated Occidental 49-39 at William Rolland Stadium.
The Kingsmen played their most inspired game on both sides of the ball to avoid losing three straight Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games for the first time since 1994.
CLU and Occidental (5-2, 4-2 SCIAC) traded blows throughout the first half, with CLU answering every Occidental touchdown with a touchdown of its own.
Occidental led CLU 24-21 at halftime on the strength of a 40-yard field goal by Alex Graves.
Before the second half, the CLU players gathered near the end zone screaming and jumping around to generate energy for the final two quarters.
The Kingsmen took their first lead at 35-31 in the third quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Isham to Conner Allen.
Occidental had first-and-goal at the 7-yard line, but CLU's Lucas Quinn made two crucial pass breakups to prevent Occidental from scoring.
CLU took over on downs and drove 93 yards for a touchdown when Isham found Andrew Worthley for a 10-yard score that gave CLU a 42-31 lead.
The Kingsmen could have taken full control when they recovered an Occidental fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the 10-yard line.
But CLU had a 25-yard field goal blocked, and Occidental scored on a 1-yard run by Kwame Do to pull within 42-38 with 9:25 remaining.
Isham and Allen fueled a drive to answer Occidental, punctuated by a 9-yard hookup to push CLU's lead to 10 points.
Eddie Flores registered an interception on Occidental's next possession and CLU was able to ice the game by running out the clock.
Isham completed 22 of 34 passes and didn't throw a single interception while also rushing 11 times for 56 yards. The Westlake High tied Jericho Toilolo's 2007 record with his six touchdown passes in a single game.
Isham spread the wealth as three CLU receivers eclipsed the 100-yard plateau.
Sean Bellotti caught seven passes for 132 yards and Allen had a breakout game with seven catches for 128 yards. Worthley finished with five catches for 117 yards and three touchdowns receptions for the second straight week.
Ricky Johnson rushed 26 times for 167 yards and a touchdown for CLU.
Cal Lutheran (3-5, 3-3) will wrap up the season next Saturday, Nov. 15, with a 1:00 p.m. game against La Verne at Rolland Stadium. Prior to kick off the seniors will be recognized.
Box Score: CLU 49, OXY 39
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