Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Claremont, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Football team scored three defensive touchdowns (two interceptions and one fumble recovery in the end zone) to build a big lead and take a 41-21 win over Pomona-Pitzer in the regular season finale for both teams on Saturday at Merritt Field.
The Sagehens, who received two touchdown receptions from Brett Harper in the second half, end the 2014 campaign at 1-8 overall and 1-6 in the SCIAC. CMS closes out at 5-4 overall and 4-3 in league play.
CMS took a 7-0 lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Trey Reynolds to Ryan Farney, and then linebacker Max Winsberg came up with two big plays. He sacked quarterback Alex Bresler in the end zone to force a fumble, which was recovered by Andrew Sova to make the score 14-0. And after the Sagehens had a long drive, he intercepted a pass at his own seven and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown to make the score 21-0.
The Sagehens trailed 28-3 at the half despite a 220-118 advantage in total yardage, and an 18-5 edge in first downs. To start the second half, Reynolds found Tyler Stanek had a 76-yard touchdown reception from Reynolds on a short catch-and-run over the middle.
Harper had a spectacular leaping catch in the end zone on a six-yard toss from Luke Lowell, and added a 34-yard reception from Bresler in the fourth quarter. In between, Tiger Brown scored the third defensive touchdown of the day for the Stags, on a 10-yard interception return after a punt pinned the Sagehens back on their own eight-yard line.
Several Sagehen seniors had strong games on defense in their final collegiate contests, as Don Swan had eight tackles, Brian Friel had seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, and Kyle Whalen had five tackles and two pass deflections. Sophomore Eric Montgomery also had in interception in the fourth quarter in the end zone to stop a CMS drive (interception pictured, photo by Christopher Watts).
Harper finished with eight catches for 114 yards receiving, and Errol Francis had 68 yards rushing on offense for the Sagehens, who were without leading rusher Aseal Birir with an injury (1,101 yards).
The game featured 10 turnovers, as CMS forced seven (six interceptions, one fumble recovery) and the Sagehens forced three (one interception, two fumble recoveries).
The 11 members of the senior class were honored prior to the game, including Jordy Bank, Trey Connet, Jack Horstmann, Nicky LaCivita, Vince Morgan, Matt O"Connor, Guy Scherzer, and Alistair Thompson, in addition to Swan, Friel and Whalen.