REDLANDS, Calif. – The annual Rah Rah Redlands event Saturday night was spoiled by No. 11 Linfield University as the University of Redlands Football team fell 51-10 to the Wildcats inside Ted Runner Stadium.
Following a pair of strong wins over George Fox University and the University of Puget Sound, the Bulldogs move to 2-1. The Maroon and Grey combined for just 162 yards of total offense (82 passing | 80 Rushing) finding it difficult to get any offensive production.
A bright spot on the evening was the kickoff return game with the trio of Tony Williams Jr. (Indio, CA), Brandon Heinel (Redlands, CA), and Giovanni Isles (Chino Hills, CA) combining for 148 yards on six returns. Williams Jr. had three returns for 72 yards, averaging 24 yards per attempt, Heinel had two returns for 52 yards, averaging 26 yards per attempt and Isles had one return or 24 yards.
Defensively, the Bulldogs put up some strong numbers totaling 76 tackles led by Noah Taplett (Woodinville, WA) and Heinel who each had seven. Jace Tessaro (Modesto, CA) and Brandon Serrano (Chino, CA) added five and Noah Widgins (San Jacinto, CA), Scott Tinsley (Capitola, CA), Jacob Harrold (Lake Havasu City, CA), and Michael MacDonald (Chino Hills, CA) would record four each. Not to be overlooked was the forced fumble by Reece Wakely (Palmdale, CA), which was recovered by Devin Escobedo (Chino, CA), the three quarterback hits from Serrano, a tackle for a loss from Elijah Valles (Oceanside, CA), a blocked extra point by Tinsley, and an interception by Heinel.
UR got things started with a strong opening series marching down the field in 10-plays covering 67-yards, which ended with a 25-yard field goal from Vicente Garcia (Fontana, CA). During the series Nathan Martinez (Redlands, CA) broke off a 45-yard run down the sideline and found Isles for an 11-yard reception.
The Wildcats though answered on the ensuing series with their own 12-play, 66-yard drive that ended in a Connor Morton rushing touchdown that gave Linfield a 7-3 lead after the stanza. The difference in the game was the second quarter with Linfield putting up 27 points that moved the score to 34-3 at the break. They kept the momentum going in the third with another touchdown and would tack on a field goal and touchdown to begin the fourth.
Despite having their backs against the wall the Bulldogs continued to battle and would find the endzone on their final series thanks to a 61-yard rush by Myles Herrera (Yucaipa, CA).
Redlands looks to bounce back following a bye week when they open up Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play on October 2 when they travel to take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps beginning at 1:00pm.
