Cal Lutheran Earns Third Straight SCIAC Title
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran football had reason to celebrate following its 54-6 victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps during Homecoming Weekend. The win clinches the program's third straight SCIAC title and berth into the NCAA playoffs.
Box Score: CLU 54, CMS 6 - F
Cal Lutheran scored 50-plus points for the fourth straight game including 26 third quarter points. The Kingsmen offense rushed for 246 yards and five touchdowns with Daniel Mosier and Deme'Trek Chambers contributing two scores apiece. Offensive lineman turned fullback Gio Lapp scored the other capping off a stretch of 21 unanswered points to start off Saturday's game.
Meanwhile the CLU defense aced its test against another high-powered running attack for the second straight week. Averaging over 207 yards per game heading into Saturday, the Stags managed only 80 yards on 36 carries against the Kingsmen.
The Cal Lutheran defense used seven tackles for loss to aid the effort including a game-high 1.5 from senior Chris Carr. Loren Powers led the team with six tackles and forced one of three CMS fumbles on the day.
Midway through the second quarter and trailing 21-0 the visiting side put together a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive for its only points of the contest. The Stags used a fake punt, two fourth down conversions, and a 40-yard trick play to score.
An interception by CMS' Matt Laredo late in the first half took probable points off the board for Cal Lutheran and preserved a manageable 21-6 halftime deficit. After outscoring the opposition 118-3 in the first half of the past three contests, it was considered a "flat" first half by members of the Kingsmen squad.
The second half turned into an offensive showcase following a locker room pep talk at halftime. The Kingsmen scored on its first five second half possession and left little doubt about Saturday's outcome.
Over the past three contests Cal Lutheran had attempted only three second half passes. On the opening second half offensive play in today's game CLU quarterback Jake Laudenslayer connected with Max Eller for 45 yards. It set up the first of three consecutive touchdown drives and 33 straight points.
Laudenslayer attempted six second half passes including a 16-yard touchdown completion to Frankie Jones. The Kingsmen quarterback finished Saturday completing 15-of-23 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
His counterpart Peter Kimmey connected on just 7-of-19 passes for 117 yards including the 40-yard strike to Kris Otterholt. Corey Bickler led the Stags rushers with 28 yards on seven carries.
No. 10 Cal Lutheran (6-1, 5-0 SCIAC) clinched at minimum of share of the conference title with one conference game remaining on the schedule. The Kingsmen will face a non-conference opponent on the road Saturday, Nov. 5, when they battle Chapman.
