Box Score 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.
