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Oct 24, 2009
Homecoming excitement extended beyond the football field
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2009) – On the afternoon of the induction of the 15th President in the history of the college, the Tigers pulled out a 14-13 victory on the gridiron after being led out onto the field by the Tigers’ newest leader. President Jonathan Veitch met four of the football captains at the center of the field prior to the game for the inaugural “First Pass” to commemorate his inauguration to Occidental College.
As Jesse Fischer, Alex Wertheimer and Jason Lehman lined up against the president, Chris Washington ran a newly designed rout and Veitch hit him 30 yards down field for what would have surely been a touchdown in a game situation. Once the ceremonies were over the Tigers took the field against the Leopards from the University of La Verne.
Senior running back Jason Haller, who rushed for 90 yards in the game, quickly put the black and orange on the board with a four yard rushing touchdown on the Tigers’ first possession of the game. Neil Martin capped off the play to put Occidental ahead 7-0.
ULV was responsible for the next two scores, taking a 13-7 lead after Fischer blocked the point after attempt by the Leos.
Occidental struck again late in the second quarter when Scott Saunders connected with Jordan Inabnit for a 36-yard touchdown. Martin’s kick would be the final point of the game as the teams remained scoreless in the final half of action.
Wertheimer continued to be a nuisance for the opposing offense as he tallied four sacks for a loss of 20 yards to go along with a pair of quarterback hurries and a broken up play. Six of his seven tackles were for a loss and he pushed the Leopards back a total of 25 yards. Greg Hollsworth had a break-out game with a pair of tackles for a loss as he also tallied seven tackles. Leading the way was Kyle Spaulding who finished with eight tackles, breaking up an additional two plays. Fischer was responsible for a pair of sacks for a loss of 13 yards and Jim Hildensperger also got to the ULV QB for a sack. Dillon Tucker nabbed the only Occidental interception of the afternoon to cap off the defensive accolades.
Lehman, C. Washington and Jordan Washington each caught five passes. Saunders navigated the offense and also put his foot to work, punting eight times with his longest at 59 yards as he pinned the Leos on their own one yard line.
Occidental returns to Patterson Field next Saturday, Oct. 31 to take on the Cal Lutheran University Kingsmen at 7:00 p.m.
