Take a Kid to the Game and Coach to Cure M.D. Night: Sat., Oct. 6, at 7:05 p.m.
Ted Runner Stadium
University of Redlands
LIVESTATS ♦ VIDEO ♦ RADIO AUDIO
The University of Redlands football team welcomes the Panthers of Chapman University to Ted Runner Stadium on Saturday, October 6, for an important Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) showdown between the previous two champions. Kickoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. during Take a Kid to the Game and Coach to Cure M.D. Night.
Since 2012, Redlands and Chapman have combined for four of the six conference titles, with the Bulldogs taking the crow in 2013 and 2016.
Clearly, the magnitude of the game is not lost on either team. But the timing doesn't matter in the big picture.
"Every game is super important. Playing Chapman will be a hard game, no matter when we play them," Head Coach Mike Maynard said. "This is the most important game we play this week and there is no easy game the rest of the way."
Last week, the Panthers muscled their way to a 54-14 thrashing of Whittier College with a high-flying offense that blew it open in the second half. Chapman scored on each of its final six possessions en route to amassing 500 yards of offense. Count on the visitors to maximize the speed and athletic ability of their receiving corps, including Trevor Vil, who put up his third consecutive 100-yard game last week, with this one coming on just four catches.
"You can't overlook their offense," stated Maynard. "Their offensive explosiveness is hard to deny."
On the other end of the spectrum, the Bulldogs edged the Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Sagehens in a 15-13 barn-burner that came down to the final few plays. The Redlands defense played a huge role, as highlighted by two interceptions and 10 tackles from the SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week, sophomore defensive back Marvin Perkins Jr. (Las Vegas, NV). In addition, senior linebacker Nick Castro (La Verne, CA) continues to serve as the "glue" in the defense. Senior defensive linemen Troy Kay (New York City, NY) and Joe Munroe (Costa Mesa, CA) provided effective tackling that forced the Sagehens back from the line of scrimmage.
"We are getting tremendous play out of our defense."
In addition, sophomore defensive lineman Elias Hackney (Santa Monica, CA) blocked not one but two field goals in the game, which clearly provided a difference in the outcome. His efforts resulted in becoming the SCIAC Specialist of the Week honor.
Offensively, the Bulldogs look to put it all together in Saturday's contest by going back to the basics of execution.
"We are committed to getting back to who we are and establishing our identity," added Maynard.
The Bulldogs hold high hopes for a quality showing that allows them to get in a rhythm and utilize their talents, including that of senior running back Conner Kennedy (Olympia, WA), junior tight end Blake Roy (Camas, WA), and senior quarterback Levi Plante (Lake Arrowhead, CA).
While riding the success of the defense, Redlands anticipates a true "dogfight" in Ted Runner Stadium on Saturday night.
This marks the Bulldogs' first home game since September 1, when they defeated George Fox University, 20-12.
Selected captains for the game include Castro, Perkins, Plante, and Christian Godina.
