THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran football team fought through the blazing heat this afternoon at Rolland Stadium in the Battle for the Smudge Pot, yet unfortunately fell at the hands of conference rival Redlands who handed the team its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs were able to seal the deal late in the fourth quarter with a successful field goal attempt, resulting in a 13-10 victory on Homecoming Weekend.
As was the case back in 1965 when the two teams first met, a defensive battle ensued. The Bulldogs were the first to get on the board with a successful 47-yard field goal.
Late in the first quarter, CLU would get a drive started with quarterback Adam Friederichsen finding tight end Alix Moise Jr. down the field for a 20-yard completion, putting the Kingsmen at their own 36-yard line. Friederichsen would later connect with Connor Allen for a 17-yard pass and three consecutive rushes by CJ Washington would result in a touchdown, giving CLU the 7-3 lead.
The lead would hold as the Violet and Gold headed into halftime, yet the Bulldogs would quickly regain it in the third quarter. A 13-play, 54-yard drive would result in a touchdown for the Bulldogs who would go ahead 10-7. In the quarter, Redlands offensive line was successful in holding down the Kingsmen defense.
Midway through the third quarter Cal Lutheran was able to tie the game up with a successful 28-yard field goal from Chris Taylor.
With just 1:40 left to play the Kingsmen defense would come onto the field for one last time, however an unfortunate and costly pass interference play would enable Redlands to score on a field goal and secure the victory.
Both teams were fairly neck and neck offensively, yet Redlands finished with a slight 292-250 yard advantage. Washington (35 yards) and Ben Chavez II (34 yards) led the CLU offense and Friederichsen was 11-for-19 for 142 yards on the day. His top target was Allen who finished with 43 yards.
Defensive leaders for the Kingsmen included Trevor Roe who had 12 total tackles and Ronny Camacho who notched 7.5. As a team Cal Lutheran had five sacks, coming from Josh Heidemann, Dalton Santos, DeJon Rothschild, Kody Duffy-Huerta and Camacho.
The Kingsmen (3-1, 1-1 SCIAC) will be on the road next weekend as they travel to Pomona-Pitzer to take on the Sagehens at Merritt Field on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
