REDLANDS, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2008) – Every year when the Tigers and Bulldogs meet there is bound to be a battle on the gridiron. Tonight was no different as both teams entered the game undefeated. For the fifth straight time Occidental College outscored the previously 14^th ranked University of Redlands, posting a 28-15 victory in the second week of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

Ted Runner Stadium was rocking from the get-go. The home team won the coin toss and opted to receive, but the Oxy defense came out and made a statement early, stopping the Bulldogs attempt at striking first, and remained tough throughout the game.

Overall the Occidental defense came up with some huge stops, timely tackles and pushed the Bulldogs back 49 yards on 11 tackles including seven sacks for a loss of 38 yards. Oxy forced UR to punt nine times, hurried the QB five times, broke up five plays, intercepted the Bulldogs once and forced three fumbles.

The senior trio of Anthony Ostland (1.5 sacks, nine total tackles, forced fumble, two QB hurry), JD Ciasulli (eight total tackles, broken up play) and Daniel Tromello (interception, two total tackles) played a significant role in pacing the defense throughout the game. Junior Trace Wallace and freshman Nate Sullivan also came up big on defense with nine and eight total tackles, respectively. Jesse Fischer also had a great game with 2.5 sacks for a loss of 15 yards.

Offensively the Tigers knew they had a challenge ahead of them as Redlands had allowed just 2.3 rushing yards per game through their first three contests. Tonight Occidental changed that as they combined for 259 yards on the ground (three TDs), adding 131 yards through the air (one TD).

On the first Occidental possession of the game, on a third and five, senior quarterback Justin Goltz found a hole and ran 58-yards into the end zone to get the Tigers on the board.

The defense again stopped the Redlands attack, forcing a punt with 5:08 to play in the first quarter. Both teams were unable to score in the final five minutes and Oxy took a 7-0 lead.

Less than two minutes into the second quarter Redlands knotted the game at 7-7, despite the Tigers blocking the first PAT attempt as a UR penalty allowed the Bulldogs another chance, which they capitalized on.

Chris Washington used his fancy footwork to run 21-yards on the kickoff return, giving Occidental good field position, setting up one of two huge touchdown runs by senior Jason Haller. The running back broke through the middle and ran 62-yards to give the Tigers a 13-7 advantage. The Bulldogs defense tipped Neil Martin's PAT attempt, denying the Tigers a 7-point play.

After UR tied things at 13, the Oxy defense again came up with a huge play. Alex Wertheimer blocked Joe McMillan's PAT attempt, leaving the game knotted for the second time.

With just 1:25 remaining in the first half, Haller repeated his feat, once more running up the middle, this time gaining 66-yards and his second score of the game, also marking the ultimate winning TD. Martin finished off the play to put the Tigers up 20-13.

Oxy forced another UR punt in the final seconds of the opening half, to take the seven point lead into the locker room.

In the second half Oxy was able to hold Redlands' offense scoreless, despite UR picking up a safety with 52 seconds left to go in the third quarter.

“At half time Coach Johnson was able to make some adjustments and really shut their running game down in the second half,” head coach Dale Widolff shared following the game.

The Tigers allowed just 162 yards on the ground in 42 UR attempts during the entire game with Redlands only gaining seven rushing yards in the second half.

The Oxy defensive unit spent 20:51 of the first 30:00 of the game on the field. In the second half Oxy maintained possession of the ball for 21:33, giving the defense some time to rest.

With 11:49 remaining in regulation Goltz connected with Jason Lehman for a 10-yard TD pass. The Tigers opted to go for, a two-point conversion, which was successful when Goltz found Washington, leaving the score at 28-15.

Goltz finished the night with 99 all purpose yards. He was also 11-for-22 passing with his longest completion a 25-yard pass to Jordan Inabnit. Haller and Washington each had 137 all purpose yards to lead all players (Haller's coming in just one half of action). Washington caught six passes for 75 yards and added 27 and 21 yard kickoff returns with a 14 yard punt return as well. Punting for the Tigers Alex Groh had six chances, sending the ball inside the 20 twice with his longest at 57 yards.

In the final four UR offensive drives of the game Ostland forced a fumble on third and 10, Tromello picked off UR QB Steve Smith and Oxy forced a pair of punts on fourth and 18 and fourth and 15, respectively .

During senior year, every game is special because it is usually one week closer to the end of a career. When they step out on the field they always want to win and when that happens, especially in a big game, nearing the conclusion of a 15-year career, it leaves some people at a loss of words.

“Indescribable.” That is all that the seniors, who have been a part of defeating the Bulldogs each year of his collegiate career, could say when asked how tonight's win felt, especially as a senior. The stakes were high with identical 3-0 records entering the game, and the top spot in the SCIAC up for grabs, making this win just as sweet, if not sweeter.

When asked what Oxy had tonight that set them apart Ostland shared, “Redlands had all the numbers. They allowed 2.3 rushing yards a game. They were ranked # 14 in the nation. They put up big offensive yards on the ground. But tonight what we showed is something you can't measure and that is heart.”

Every week they prepare, work hard and play hard come Saturday night.

“Tonight this team showed the most collective heart and soul effort of any team I have ever played on,” Tromello said. “With our backs against the wall we were able to come out and play solid football all around.”

Oxy surely ceased many opportunities tonight and that comes in large part to the preparation that led up to the meeting on the gridiron.  

Both Ostland and Tromello agreed that it was key.

“Our coaches put us in a position to make big plays at the right times because they helped us to be so well prepared.”

With the win Occidental improves to 4-0, 2-0 in SCIAC play while Redlands falls to 3-1, 1-1. The Tigers are now tied atop the SCIAC with Cal Lutheran University (3-1, 2-0) who defeated Pomona-Pitzer 44-13 this afternoon.

Just like they did leading up to tonight's game, and the weeks prior to that, the Tigers will continue to work hard during practices, get stronger as individuals and grow together as a team, as they prepare for their next meeting on the field.

Next Saturday, Nov. 18, the Tigers will travel to Orange, Calif. where they will play the Chapman University Panthers in their final non-conference game of the season. Teams are slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m.