THE BULLDOGS

Last week:  With a total-team effort, the Redlands football team clinched at least a share of the 2013 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship with last week's 49-0 victory over the visiting Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.  The title marks the first since 2007 and the program's 29th overall.  While shutting out the Sagehens for the second year in a row, the Bulldogs remain alone at the top of the standings with only tonight's game remaining in the regular season.   View last week's box score and complete season stats.

The Maroon and Gray erupted for 21 points in the first and third quarters, scoring on three consecutive possessions during these frames.  Overall, Redlands racked up 435 total yards of offense, with junior Kevin Russell (Lacey, WA) leading the charge.  He recorded 237 yards on a 14-for-20 showing without an interception.  He found nine different receivers, with sophomore Steven Herber (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) tallying 75 yards through the air and senior Aaron Atkins (Fallbrook, CA) gaining 65.  This dynamic duo accounted for four of the Bulldogs' touchdowns, while senior Bobby Brown (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) scored two of his own on the ground en route to a 65-yard, 11-carry effort.

Junior Curran Fudge (Oklahoma City, OK) provided various explosive plays for the Maroon and Gray.  He started the game with a 68-yard kick-off return to set up the team's eventual first score.  Later in the game, he hauled in a pick-six play with a 31-yard interception return.  Finally, he tallied four tackles on the night.

Defensively, the Bulldogs utilized nearly the entire roster but gained a team-high six tackles from junior Michael Tootle (Las Vegas, NV), senior Clayton Dobbs (Oakland, CA), and senior Daniel Kane (Covina, CA). 

At the Helm: In his 26th year with the Bulldogs, Head Coach Mike Maynard consistently establishes himself as one of the top, small-college coaches in the West Region, if not the entire nation.  Prior to the start of the  2013 season, his teams have posted an overall winning percentage of .684 (as of 2012), which includes an impressive .781 mark in SCIAC play while winning 10 championships. Maynard continues to build on the pride and tradition of Bulldog football, including six NCAA playoff appearances. During his tenure, he has coached multiple All-Americans, All-SCIAC honorees, and academic standouts. 

During the spring of 2005, Maynard was inducted into the Bulldog Bench Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame at the University of Redlands. In addition, he earned the prestigious University of Redlands Frank J. Rice Memorial Award for Community Service in 1999. The All-American Football Foundation honored Maynard with the Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award in 2007.  Just two years later, he was voted the "top athlete to ever grace the halls of Farmer City High School."

DAWG Dialogue:  Meet a new Bulldog every Monday by visiting  http://goredlands.com/Media/DAWG_Dialogue

Do you ODK?  Omicron Delta Kappa, a National Leadership Honor Society, was the first national college honor society to give recognition and honor for leadership and service in extracurricular activities, and to encourage development of general campus citizenship.  The Redlands' chapter of ODK was re-founded in 2012 and is hosting a "Quarterback Challenge" during Saturday's halftime.  Four selected students will compete for a prize by throwing footballs into trashcans out on the field. The contestant who makes the most "trashcan touchdowns" will receive a gift card, courtesy of ODK.

THE POETS

Last Week:   The Poets snapped a seven-game losing skid with an exciting 59-52 victory over Occidental College in the annual battle of "The Shoes."   Whittier earned back-to-back victories over the Tigers with their latest triumph coming in their 106th meeting on Nov. 9.  Late in the game, the Poet defense halted a quarterback-keeper play on fourth-and-goal to preserve the important win.  After a slow start that included only a field goal in the opening quarter, Whittier unleashed back-to-back 21-point quarters. 

During his second start of the season, quarterback Steven Rivera racked up 314 yards on a 17-for-25 performance for four touchdowns.  He also tallied 103 yards on the ground for one score.  Diante Jackson served as his No. 1 target, registering 152 yards on just four catches for a pair of touchdowns.

At the Helm:  Todd Stratton is in his second year at the helm of the Poets.  Last season, he recorded the program's best SCIAC showing since 2007 with a 3-4 mark to go along with a 4-5 overall showing.  Prior to Whittier, Stratton gained experience at various junior colleges and high schools.  He graduated from UNLV in 1988.

SERIES HISTORY

The Redlands-Whittier series dates back to 1910, with the Poets holding a slight advantage at 52-40-8.  However, the Bulldogs have won the last six meetings as well as 13 out of the previous 14.   In addition, Head Coach Mike Maynard owns a 21-4 record against Whittier.

SCIAC STANDINGS

The Bulldogs sit alone at the top of the SCIAC standings with a perfect 6-0 record.  Redlands needs a win tonight to capture sole possession of the 2013 SCIAC Championship.  Regardless of the finish, the Maroon and Gray is headed to the NCAA Division III Championships for the seventh time in school history, making its first appearance since 2011.  Redlands will play on Nov. 23.  The site and opponent will be announced on Sunday night.