Football Falls To Claremont-M-S In Home Opener
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark football
team came up short in the season opener at Griswold
Stadium, falling to the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 22-7 on
Saturday. Despite the loss, the Pioneers kept the crowd of 1,134
entertained, as the game was much closer than the final score
depicted. The team had a blended both youth and experience and
pulled together for an exciting game of football.
The Pioneers defense showed signs of promise, holding the Stags to
227 yards on the ground, forcing two fumbles.
Claremont passed for 178 yards on the day, while earning nine
points from field goals by Chet Corcos. The Pioneers lone score
came from Harrison Keller in the first quarter on a 15-yard run for
the touchdown. Senior kicker Andrew Foote followed up the touchdown
with a good kick to complete the scoring drive.
The Stags led 3-0 after their first possession of the game, but
scored nine points in the second quarter – capping the half
with a one-yard touchdown run from Scott Yingling to take a 9-3
lead into the lockerroom after missing the extra point.
Neither offense was able to get anything going in the third
quarter of action, battling each other scoreless. The Pioneers held
possession for nearly 10 minutes in the third quarter – their
longest of the game.
L&C’s offense struggled to get going throughout the
game, averaging just 1.2 yards per play. Freshman Keith Welch and
junior Tucker Laurence both saw time at quarterback, with Welch
completing 3-of-10, while taking the majority of snaps. Freshman
Andrew Frisina had the longest reception of the game for the
Pioneers, collecting a pass from Welch for a 35-yard gain.
Sophomore Tony Mora led the defense with 11 tackles and Shawn
Kelly had nine. Daniel Andrew had four for the Stags, while Nate
Jiwanlal and Dan Picciotto also had four.
Laurence ended with six punts for an average of 35.5 yards with a
long of 49 and three within the 20-yard line.
The Pioneers hit the road for their next contest, heading to
Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
