REDLANDS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran football (3-0, 1-0 SCIAC) defeated Redlands in the annual battle for the Smudge Pot Trophy, outperforming the Bulldogs in virtually every facet of the game for a 27-10 road victory. This marks the Kingsmen's first win over Redlands (2-1, 0-1 SCIAC) since 2012, as its defense dominated by forcing four turnovers and allowing just 117 total yards.

Cal Lutheran started with the football but quickly recorded a three-and-out. Punter Kyle Howie had his attempt blocked, resulting in a short field for Redlands on its first offensive possession, beginning at the CLU 15-yard line. The Bulldogs weren't able to manage a first down, settling for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.

The Kingsmen offense responded with a methodical 14-play, 75-yard drive that spanned over eight minutes. Cal Lutheran converted three third-downs on the drive, including a 16-yard strike from Joe Farley to TeNorris Merkel. Tyler Woodworth hauled in a 25-yard pass to bring Cal Lutheran into the red zone, and Gabe Landless finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge. The Kingsmen took the lead 7-3, and they would not relinquish it.

The Kingsmen defense forced another three-and-out, keeping the Bulldogs offense off the field–a trend that continued all game, as Cal Lutheran possessed the ball for 37 of the game's 60 minutes.

On the ensuing drive, Farley heaved a deep ball on 3rd-and-17 deep in his team's own territory, and Redlands was able to come down with an interception. The Bulldogs returned it to the CLU 10-yard line to set up another drive with prime field position. However, the Kingsmen defense held up for the third time in as many drives, forcing the Bulldogs into another field goal attempt. This time, the Redlands kicker missed a 27-yarder.

With just under 12 minutes to play in the first half, Cal Lutheran was able to flip the field thanks to a 20-yard scamper by Mehki Delouth and a pair of Bulldogs penalties. The Kingsmen were forced to attempt a field goal, but Matthew Montegna's 44-yard attempt went wide right.

After yet another three-and-out forced by the Cal Lutheran defense, highlighted by a 5-yard tackle-for-loss by Logan Bowers, the Kingsmen offense would retake possession. The Cal Lutheran defense would not allow a successful first-down conversion throughout the entire first half.

The Kingsmen would quickly punt it back to the Bulldogs, who were desperate for any movement on offense with under four minutes to go in the second quarter. On its third play of the drive, Redlands was able to complete its first (and only) pass of the quarter when Neiman McCoy forced a fumble and Arthur Orta jumped on it, giving the Kingsmen a chance to extend their lead before halftime.

Back-to-back strikes from Farley to Woodworth and Merkel for 17 and 23 yards, respectively, to begin the drive set up Cal Lutheran inside the UR 15-yard line. Montegna was able to split the uprights from 23 yards, and the Kingsmen went into the break up 10-3.

Redlands got the ball to kick off the third quarter, but it was more of the same for the Bulldogs. The teams traded three-and-outs for the first three possessions of the second quarter as Redlands was still looking for its first first-down of the game.

On its next possession, Cal Lutheran faced a 4th-and-5 at the UR 30-yard line. Head Coach Anthony Lugo decided to go for it, and Farley found Woodworth for a 12-yard gain to continue the drive. An 18-yard completion to Merkel advanced the Kingsmen into the red zone after a penalty backed them up. Montegna knocked in a 23-yard field goal to give Cal Lutheran a 13-3 lead.

The Redlands quarterback dropped back on the Bulldogs' second play of their next drive and threw an interception to JD Vargas. The Kingsmen returned it to the UR 12-yard line, but Cal Lutheran tossed an interception on the next play to give the ball back to Redlands.

A couple plays into the Bulldogs' next possession, Drew Nees made his way to the quarterback for a strip-sack and Jeremiah Alemayehu jumped on it at the UR 3-yard line, as the Kingsmen's third forced turnover set the offense up with an extremely short field.

A pair of runs by JD Sumlin got Cal Lutheran back into the end zone, as Sumlin got his first touchdown since last week's four-touchdown performance. The Kingsmen took a 20-3 lead with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter.

A Max Juarez sack on the second-to-last play of the third quarter ensured that the Bulldogs would not convert a first down in the game's opening three quarters.

Redlands was able to march down the field for the first time all game for a miraculous touchdown on 4th-and-goal from the CLU 19-yard line, but the Kingsmen were still able to manage a couple sacks on the drive. Nees and Juarez combined for one, and Anthony Gallego recorded his own sack.

Landless started the next drive with a 22-yard run, but the drive stalled and the Kingsmen punted.

On the next play, Nees made his third interception of the season in as many games to end the Bulldogs' hopes of a comeback. Sumlin ran for eight and 16 yards on two carries to cross the goal line again and put Cal Lutheran up 27-10, which would end up being the final score.

The Kingsmen outgained the Bulldogs in total yardage, 284 to 117 in a dominant all-around performance. The three-headed monster of Landless, Sumlin, and Delouth ran for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Woodworth recorded five receptions for 71 yards, and Merkel hauled in four passes for 60 yards.

Bowers led the Kingsmen with nine total tackles (2 TFL), and Nees had another standout game with six tackles (3.5 TFL), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and interception, and three QB hurries.

Cal Lutheran will look to continue its impressive start to the season when it hosts CMS next Saturday at 7pm.