MCMINNVILLE, OR – The University of Redlands Football team saw their 2021 campaign come to a close Saturday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Division III National Championships falling to No. 6 Linfield University 44-10.

The two losses for the Bulldogs on the season came against the Wildcats (Sept. 18 | 51-10) (Nov. 20 | 44-10) as they posted an 8-2, 6-0 SCIAC record.  UR has now posted at least eight wins four of the last nine seasons. 

It was a strong start for the Maroon and Grey holding the high-powered Wildcat offense scoreless in the first quarter.  Redlands struck first on the afternoon putting together a long drive that spanned into the 2^nd quarter covering 53-yards in 15-plays, nine of which were rushes, ending in a 26-yard field goal by Vicente Garcia (Fontana, CA).  This lead didn't hold though as Linfield would take their next possession down the field, covering 75-yards in just eight plays, sparked by two big connections, the second on 4^th and 6 from Wyatt Smith to Devon Murray (23-Yards) (38-Yards).  The final strike came from two yards out as Smith would find Joel Valadez for the go-ahead score.

Following a three and out by UR, Linfield would put together another long drive this time going 77-yards in 12-plays that covered almost five minutes.  But the Cats would come up empty getting stopped on the UR2 yard line on 4^th and 1, which turned the ball over on downs.  This position though proved tough for Redlands as Nathan Martinez (Redlands, CA) would get sacked on 1^st and 10, which resulted in a safety giving two points to Linfield and the ball back with short field position.  They would use this short start to tack on more points, as Smith would cap off a 56-yard drive finding Murray from 12-yards out that moved the score to 16-3 at the half. 

A blocked punt early in the 3^rd quarter would give Linfield great field position on the UR37.  But again the defense for Redlands proved tough forcing a punt after sending the Cats backwards -2 yards.  With 7:30 to play in the quarter Linfield eventually found the endzone as Smith would find Murray for his second touchdown on the day, this time going to the house from 41-yards out, moving the score to 23-3.  Later in the period Linfield would add another score with four pass completions from Smith that set him up for a rushing touchdown from seven-yards out. 

An interception of Martinez to start off the 4^th would give the Cats the ball on the UR41 and again they would use the short field to add insurance as Payton Person would find Colton Smith for a 13-yard score.  A fumble on a punt from Garcia would be recovered by Joseph Rosales (Goodyear, AZ) bringing some life to the Bulldog bench and they would capitalize as Martinez would find Evan Aguon (San Diego, CA) for a six-yard reception before running it in from eight-yards out.  But it was too late to create any momentum as Linfield would go 56-yards in 5-plays on their ensuing drive that would lock up the home victory. 

Redlands finished with 200 yards of offense (95 passing | 105 Rushing).  Martinez was 16-for-31 for those 95 yards, but threw two picks and added ten rushes for 11 yards and a touchdown.  Kai Thompson (Murrieta, CA) led the running backs with 17 carries for 59-yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry.  Kaleb Hatten (Modesto, CA) led the receivers with two catches for 23-yards, averaging 11.5 yards per catch.  Khory Day (Fresno, CA) totaled another five catches with 22 yards and Giovanni Isles (Chino Hills, CA) and Aguon combined for six catches for 36 yards.

Garcia had a busy day adding that one field goal (26-yards), an extra point, while totaling six punts for 242 yards, averaging 40.3 yards per punt, with a long being for 52. 

Tony Williams Jr. (Indio, CA) had a big day on special teams bringing back three returns for 77-yards, averaging 25.7 yards per return, with a long being for 32.  Defensively, the Bulldogs totaled 59 tackles with seven coming from both Jace Tessaro (Modesto, CA) and Jacob Harrold (Lake Havasu City, AZ).  Scott Tinsley (Capitola, CA) had six tackles and Luke Purcella (University Place, WA) with another five.  UR had three tackles for losses coming from Purcella, Noah Widgins (San Jacinto, CA), and Brandon Serrano (Chino, CA), Jadin Michaels (Palm Springs, CA) had two pass break-ups and Jake Baillie (Woodinville, WA) had a quarterback hit.             

Linfield (10-0, 7-0 NWC) will now take on St. John's University (11-0, 7-0 MIAC) next Saturday, November 27 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.