Stags Lose Early Lead, Fall To Loggers

The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags lost to the Puget Sound Loggers 22-12 on Saturday evening after holding leads of 9-0 and 12-8.  CMS fell to 1-1 overall while Puget Sound improved to 2-0.

After being stopped on their first possession, Stag punter Bryan Downs (JR, Fullerton) executed a 64-yard kick that was downed at the one.  The Stags defense stopped the attempted rush in the endzone for a safety and an early 2-0 lead.  The offense took the ensuing free kick and drove 54 yards in four plays for a touchdown and a nine point advantage.  Ryan Larsen (JR, Seymour, IN) connected with Ryan Bickler (SO, Salem, OR) for an 8-yard score right after Mike Hirokawa (SO, Honolulu, HI [pictured] broke off a 38-yard run.  The teams exchanged punts for the next eight possessions.  After CMS was forced to punt from the back of their endzone, Puget Sound capitalized by deflecting the punt and taking over at the Stag 18.  They took advantage of the short field, scored a touchdown and were successful on a two-point conversion.  The half ended with CMS holding a 9-8 lead.

On the Logger's second possession of the second half, Landon Patoc (SO, Honolulu, HI) intercepted a pass at the Stags 11 and the team responded with their best drive of the night: 73 yards in 10 plays.  They capped the drive with a 33-yard Zach Mallove (JR, Bainbridge Island, WA) field goal and Stags led 12-8.  The fourth quarter belonged to the Loggers, however, as they converted two long drives for touchdowns and the 22-12 victory.

The Stag defense was led by linebackers Ashton Clarke (JR, Santa Rosa) and Patrick Atwater (SO, La Canada) who combined for 10 solo and 21 assisted tackles.

CMS does not compete this coming weekend.  They return to action on Saturday, September 29 with a home game against Occidental College.  The game will be the SCIAC opener for both teams.