A strong running game by the University of Redlands (3-0, 1-0 SCIAC) compensated for the absence of senior quarterback/punter Dan Selway (Villa Park, CA) as senior running back Zach Schafer (Saugus, CA) and senior running back Jeff Stewart (Newark, CA) ran for 175 and 130 yards, respectively, in a 37-7 trampling of the University of La Verne in La Verne on Oct. 4.

Ranked 20th in the d3football.com poll and 17th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll, the Bulldogs opened Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play on a rare rainy afternoon and dominated throughout the entirety of the game against the Leopards.

Sophomore kicker Joe MacMillan (Pasadena, CA) put Redlands on the board early with a 37-yard field goal 6:30 into the game. The seven-play, 60-yard drive became a scoring opportunity due to a 44-yard rush by Schafer to the La Verne 16.

Taking it to the ground again on the ensuing Redlands possession, Stewart and Schafer each compiled a rush of 20 or more yards, setting up an eight-yard touchdown pass, which was thrown by junior quarterback Steve Smith (Lake Oswego, OR). Smith found senior running back Tom Romaine (Ahwatukee, AZ) open, marking Smith’s first touchdown pass of the season. Electing to go for the two-point conversion, the Bulldogs tacked on two extra points as junior wide receiver Brenden Barkate (Bakersfield, CA) ran it in for the successful conversion.

Anthony Andre misfired on a pass on the next Leopard offensive drive, and sophomore defensive back Mike Nicolini (Novato, CA) capitalized on the opportunity, returning an interception for 21 yards to the La Verne 37.

With time winding down in the half, Nicolini blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt by the Leopards, and freshman wide receiver Tyler Aubrey (Santee, CA) picked up the ball for an 18-yard gain before getting dragged down at midfield.

Smith then engineered the next Bulldog drive, completing 12-yard and a 20-yard passes to junior wide receiver Sean Scott (Bellevue, WA) and a 16-yard toss to Romaine. Deciding to tuck in the ball and finish the drive himself in the Leopard red zone, Smith unleashed a six-yard touchdown run.

Senior linebacker Eddie Stamm (Portland, OR) got the ball back on La Verne’s next drive, intercepting an Andre pass at the Redlands 19.

La Verne’s Rocky Keawekane intercepted a pass by Smith as Redlands tried to score for one last time in the half, returning the pick for 60 yards and scoring the Leopards’ first touchdown.

The Leopards’ opening drive of the second half, which was marred by penalties, ended with junior defensive back Jared Fink (El Paso, TX) picking off an Andre pass. With favorable field position, the Bulldogs settled for a MacMillan field goal, bringing the score to 21-7.

Following three straight three-and-out plays, Schafer pounded the Leopard defense with two strong runs of nine and 15 yards, respectively, with the 15-yard run resulting in a touchdown.

With 12:18 remaining in the game, Schafer ran for a 36-yard touchdown, scoring on the first play of a drive that started at the La Verne 36, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 27.

Redlands forced the Leopards to a three-and-out drive on the ensuing La Verne possession, and Stewart kept the ball on the ground on the next Bulldog offensive drive, helping run time off of the clock in a lopsided contest in unfavorable weather conditions. The final three points of the game came from MacMillan as he buried a 35-yard field goal, putting the team up 37-7.

Smith played the entirety of the game under center, amassing 156 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Scott caught four passes for 58 yards to lead all Bulldog receivers while Barkate picked up 41 yards on three catches.

Filling in for Selway on punting duties, freshman punter Wes Norris (San Jose, CA) averaged 38 yards on two punts, including one punt which resulted in a touchback.

Freshman linebacker Ian Sluss (Vista, CA) led the team in tackles with eight on the afternoon while breaking up a pass and assisting on a sack for a loss of two yards. Continuing to instill fear in opposing offenses, the multitalented Nicolini notched seven tackles, one interception and one blocked kick.

La Verne’s quarterbacks were unable to escape senior defensive lineman Brock Arndt (Valencia, CA) as the preseason All-American recorded two sacks for a loss of 16 yards to supplement his five total tackles.

Redlands faces SCIAC rival Occidental College at home next Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. for Take a Kid to the Game® and Qdoba Night. All fans in attendance will receive a coupon for a free burrito to be used at one of three local Qdoba locations.