REDLANDS, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2010) – An attempt at spoiling homecoming for the University of Redlands was short lived today as the Occidental College Tigers suffered a 51-7 loss in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic conference play, dropping a game to the Bulldogs for the first time since 2003.

In a game that saw six Oxy fumbles, equaling the season total through five games, eight penalties and an interception, the Tigers saw themselves at a disadvantage early.

The Occidental defense held the Bulldogs to just five plays on their first drive, forcing them to punt, but the first fumble of the day left the ball on in Redlands' hands on Oxy's own 24 yards line. UR used just two plays to score for the first time of the afternoon. After a failed PAT chance, the Tigers were down by just six. UR added another score in the first quarter while the Black and Orange were unable to find their way into the end zone, leaving the visitors down 13-0 after the opening stanza.

Redlands then looked to its special teams as Mike Nicolini ran a punt back 58 yards for another UR touchdown seconds into the second quarter.

On the ensuing Oxy possession sophomore quarterback Ryan Rodriguez connected with senior tight end Nic Arnold to get the Tigers on the board. Senior Joshua Mun finished off the play with a kick, giving Oxy what turned into their final points of the game.

The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 28-7 in the second quarter taking a 41-7 lead into the locker rooms.

Although Occidental's bumped and bruised defense held the Bulldogs to 10 points over the final two quarters, the offense never found a rhythm and the early deficit was too much to overcome.

Dillon Tucker led all players with 10 total tackles as he broke up a play. Both Ayrton Bates and Kyle Spaulding finished with seven tackles, four and two solo stops, respectively. Jordan Lance came away with six tackles, recording five solo stops, while adding 90 yards on three returns including a 43 yard gain. Carter Norfleet picked off UR quarterback Dan Selway for the only Tigers' pick of the afternoon.

Rodriguez finished 1-for-2 while junior quarterback Luke Collis was 12-for-21 with one interception and a pair of fumbles. Arnold and Bobby Phillips each had three catches in the game. Overall the Oxy offense gained just 194 total yards in the game.

Occidental (5-1, 4-1 SCIAC) travels to Orange, Calif. next Saturday, Oct. 30 to play Chapman University in the final non-conference game of the season. Teams will kick off at 7:00 p.m.