OCCIDENTAL 41, POMONA-PITZER 17
LOS ANGELES — Bryan Scott had a big game through the air, Shay Mueller swung the momentum with a fumble recovery for a touchdown at the end of the first half and the Tigers kept the "Drum" Trophy for an eleventh consecutive year, beating the Sagehens 41-17 at Jack Kemp Stadium on Saturday.
It is the oldest college football rivalry on the West Coast, dating back to 1895.
Scott, the 2013 SCIAC Newcomer of the Year, threw for 296 yards on 20-25 passing, including four touchdowns. Devin Bullock was on the receiving end of three of them, two on swing passes near the goal line and the other on an out route.
Pomona-Pitzer held a 17-14 and did well moving the ball on the ground before Nicholas McHughforced the ball loose from Aseal Birir deep in Pomona-Pitzer territory. Muller scooped it up, scoring with 22 seconds left to give the Tigers a 20-17 lead headed into the locker room.
Besides the one blemish, Birir had an outstanding game, running for 217 yards on 28 carries.
On Oxy's opening drive in the second half, Scott found Kaleb Mitchell for a 59-yard score through the air, giving Oxy a comfortable cushion.
The Tigers outscored the Sagehens 21-0 in the second half.
Crizer caught Oxy's longest play from scrimmage, taking a 62-yard pass inside the 5-yard-line in the first half. Crizer finished with three catches for 109 yards.
Oxy star running back Kwame Do quietly had a solid game on the ground, finishing with 131 yards and a touchdown on 25 touches.
Mueller led Oxy on the defensive side of the ball, adding a second-half interception to his impressive night. Devin Chapman made eight tackles, Dallas Gosselin had a sack and Mueller, Teran Mawhinney,Matthew Malos and McHugh all added seven tackles.
Season Impact: With the win, Oxy improves to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in SCIAC play. Depending on the outcome of the Tigers' game next week and the result between Redlands and Chapman (both 5-0 in SCIAC), the Tigers could be playing for a SCIAC Championship at Redlands in their season finale if the Bulldogs knock off the Panthers tomorrow.
Next Game: The Tigers play at Cal Lutheran, Oxy head coach Doug Semones' Alma mater, in Thousand Oaks on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
Oxy Football Hall of Fame: At halftime, nine Oxy football greats were inducted into the revived Occidental Football Hall of Fame. It is the program's third year since renewing the tradition that was dormant for several decades.
All but one of the inductees were members of Oxy's 1982 team that defeated the University of San Diego 34-20 on national television during the NFL player's strike, despite being a heavy underdog. Under then first-year head coach Dale Widolff, that 1982 team sparked a three-year SCIAC Championship run from 1983-1985, setting the tone for eight more championships after that and Oxy's rise as a West Region power for the next 30 years.
Matt Kurilich, Class of 1953 - Kurilich is one of just a handful of Oxy athletes in its long history to be selected into multiple sport halls of fame. Kurilich is also a prominent baseball player and in the Oxy Baseball Hall of Fame.
Eric Raff, Class of 1983 - Raff was a four-year defensive starter and a three-time All-SCIAC selection. He was Oxy's Defensive Lineman of the year from 1980-1982.
Scott Grosse, Class of 1984 - Grosse was a Football Digest All-America First Team selection at nose guard in 1984. He was Oxy's Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1983 and 1984.
Dan Osborn, Class of 1984 - Osborn was a 1982 AP and Kodak First Team All-American in 1982 and Oxy's co-Most Valuable Player in 1982-83.
Ron Scott, Class of 1984 - Scott was the SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year and an NCAA All-American in 1984.
Jon Finstuen, Class of 1985 - Finstuen was named Oxy's Most Valuable Offensive back and First Team All-SCIAC in 1983 and 1984. He later suited up for two games for the Los Angeles Rams.
Jeff Goldstein, Class of 1986 - Goldstein was a First Team All-SCIAC running back, the Jack Kemp Offensive Back and Oxy's Iron Man award winner.
Parris Devine, Class of 1986 - Devine was a four-year defensive starter, three-year All-SCIAC selection and the 1985 SCIAC Defensive MVP.
Vance Mueller, Class of 1986 - Mueller was named the Cheverolet Player of the Game when Oxy beat USD on national television and later went on to be a fourth round draft pick in the NFL, playing for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1986-1991. Mueller shared Oxy's Most Valuable Player award with Dan Osborn in 1982-193 and also earned the award in 1984. Mueller is the father of current Tiger football player Shay Mueller.
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