Big Second Half Propels Bulldogs Past La Verne
The University of Redlands scored 28 points in the second half to earn a decisive 45-17 win over the University of La Verne in SCIAC action Saturday at Palm Desert High School in Palm Desert.
The game was relocated due to air quality concerns in the Redlands area resulting from the wildfires throughout the southern California region.
After a field goal put the Bulldogs up 3-0, La Verne scored off of six-yard pass from senior quarterback Troy Doolittle to senior tight end Anthony DeJager. However, this would be the Leopards’ only lead of the game as Redlands tallied two unanswered touchdowns to go up 17-7. The Leopards closed the half with three points as a Taylor Hart field goal from 39 yards out closed the deficit to 17-10 at halftime.
Redlands' offense began to take control after intermission and pulled away in the second half with four consecutive touchdowns. Running backs Zack Schafer, Jeff Stewart, George Foreman IV each posted touchdowns while junior quarterback Dan Selway connected with sophomore wide receiver Sean Scott for a 33-yard touchdown pass. On their final possession, the Leopards returned a kickoff 50 yards to set up a 12-yard scoring pass from reserve quarterback Austin Braunwalder to Ryan Coffelt in the waning seconds.
The Bulldogs (6-1, 3-1 SCIAC) gained 408 yards on offense in 79 plays compared to 202 yards on 59 plays for the Leopards. Selway finished with 270 yards on 16-of-26 passing with two scores. Bulldog receiver Kyle Godfrey totaled a game-high 106 yards on four grabs.
For La Verne, Doolittle went 26-for-43 through the air with one interception for 228 yards. Senior running back Chris Handy supplied 65 receiving yards on five catches while junior wide receiver Grady Thomas earned 58 yards on five receptions.
On defense, ULV linebacker Branamier Courtney led the team with 14 total tackles, while defensive back Blair Chavez came up with 12.
La Verne (0-7, 0-5) hosts Claremont-Mudd-Scripps next Saturday at 1 p.m.
