REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Football team continues to look strong here in 2021 and Saturday they had their offense and defense on full display in a blowout 60-10 victory over Puget Sound.
The Bulldogs totaled 563 yards of total offense (278 Passing/285 Rushing), averaged 7.7 yards per carry and 15.4 yards per catch. Special teams were also outstanding combining for 107 total return yards, which included two punt returns for 51 yards and three kickoff returns for 56 yards.
Not to be overlooked is the defensive unit as they allowed just 215 yards of total offense, with 161 coming in the air and a mere 54 on the ground. They held the Loggers to a 29% clip on third down efficiency had eight tackles for 34-yards lost, a sack, interception, forced fumble, five break-ups and three quarterback hits.
The U of R needed just three plays on their second series to find the endzone following a 40-yard punt return from Khory Day (Fresno, CA) that setup the Bulldogs on the UPS 27. After that Kai Thompson (Murrieta, CA) did the rest with a long gain of 13 yards before scoring from four yards out.
Their very next series they would march down the field going 74-yards in just 4-plays. Nathan Martinez (Redlands, CA) led the drive with two completions of 24-yards and 52 –yards finding Kai Kang (Sammamish, WA) on both connections. Thompson then completed the drive with a one-yard touchdown run that moved the score to 13-0.
In the 2nd Quarter, the Maroon and Grey put the game out of reach pouring on another 30 points that moved the score to 43-7 at the half. UPS earned the first points of the frame, but after that it was all Bulldogs. On UR's ensuing drive they only needed three plays to find the endzone. Andrew Kellstrom (San Bernardino, CA) was instrumental pulling off a 64-yard drive that setup 1st and 10 from the UPS30. Martinez then did the rest finding Evan Aguon (San Diego, CA) from 30-yards out in the corner of the endzone making the score 20-7.
But the Bulldogs weren't done. On their next possession they would take the ball 93-yards in nine plays that only covered 3:29. It was a balanced attack with Thompson and Martinez combining for 26-yards rushing, Martinez completing passes to Michael Mindnich (Bellingham, WA) (34-yards), and Day (7-yards), and capped off with Kellstrom pulling off runs of 36-yards and a 6-yard touchdown scamper.
After a three-and-out by the Loggers, Day would setup the Bulldogs in UPS territory after an 11-yard punt return. That field positioning would be all Tony Williams Jr. (Indio, CA) would need as he would take the ball 40-yards to the house that moved the score to 34-7.
Another punt return from Day, this time of 21-yards with 2:48 to play in the half setup UR with another short field and they would capitalize again. They would cover 63-yards in 5-plays in just :55 seconds. Martinez would find Kang and Giovanni Isles (Chino Hills, CA) for 17-yard hook-ups and would then connect with Kang in the back of the endzone from 11-yards out.
It was a defensive stand in the 3rd Quarter, with a combined ten points being scored. Redlands got the opening kickoff and would need just 1:55 to add to their lead. They covered 55-yards in just 4-plays thanks to a 24-yard rush by Kellstrom and a Myles Herrera (Yucaipa, CA) rush for a 20-yard touchdown.
Then in the 4th, the defense stood strong again shutting out the Loggers over the final 15:00 minutes, while the offense would add insurance. Redlands had put together a long series that ended the 3rd Quarter. They would then carry that into the 4th capping off a 15-play, 67-yard drive that covered 6:55 with a 22-yard field goal from Vicente Garcia (Fontana, CA). Then with 12:01 to play the Bulldogs would start their final scoring drive that went 6-plays for 70-yards. During the series Dominic Bettini (Arvada, CA) had a long run of 27-yards, which was followed by Jack Wilson (Portland, OR) finding Kaleb Hatten (Modesto, CA) for a 27-yard touchdown grab.
Martinez finished 9-for-11 for 202 yards and two touchdowns, with a long pass being of 52-yards. Kellstrom led the rushing attack with six attempts for 79 yards and another TD. He averaged 13.2 yards per carry and had a long run of 36 yards. Five different running backs had runs that were 20-yards or more for the game. Thompson despite only getting six attempts finished with 30 yards and two touchdowns.
Kang led the receivers with four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 26.0 yards per catch with a long being of 52. Garcia provided 10 points for the Bulldogs going 7-for-7 on extra points along with that 22-yard field goal.
Defensively, UR was everywhere totaling 72 tackles (40 solo/32 assisted). Jace Tessaro (Modesto, CA) finished with seven along with 1.5 tackles for losses. Brandon Heinel (Redlands, CA) added six tackles with three break-ups, Scott Tinsley (Capitola, CA) with another six tackles and Noah Taplett (Woodinville, OR) and Solomon Iosefa (Riverside, CA) combining for 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for losses. Another standout on the defensive side was Brandon Serrano (Chino, CA) who added four tackles, a sack for a seven yard loss, a quarterback hit and three tackles for losses.
Redlands (2-0) returns to action next Saturday, September 18 when they host Linfield College at 7:00pm for Rah Rah Redlands.
