CLAREMONT, Calif. – In the final home game of the 2014 season, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team set the CMS record for fewest total yards allowed and scored five touchdowns for a 40-3 win over Whittier. The Stags are now 4-4 overall and 3-3 in conference with just one game against Pomona-Pitzer (1-7, 1-5 SCIAC) remaining on the schedule.
On Oct. 18, 1958, the Stags held UC Riverside to 66 total yards. On Saturday, CMS only allowed Whittier just 49 yards in 48 plays, smashing the previous CMS record. The Stag defense dominated the Whittier run game for -16 net rushing yards. The Poets were forced to throw the ball and even then, earned only three passing first downs, totaling 65 yards for the game.
The Stags put pressure on the Poets offense all day, recording six sacks led by senior Alex Chang with two on his own including earning CMS two points with a safety. Seven CMS players were credited with tackles for loss in the defensive onslaught that forced Whittier to punt on seven different occasions.
The offense began its work on Whittier's 40 yard after a very short Poet punt. Freshman Andrew Segre ran for back to back first downs and then freshman Shane Pico powered through the last few yards for the Stags' first touchdown.
In the first half, CMS scored 32 unanswered points and sophomore quarterback Trey Reynolds had a season high four touchdown passes. The only game Reynolds has thrown for more TDs in his career was five in the epic five overtime win against Whittier in the 2013 season.
Reynolds connected with four different receivers for touchdowns – sophomore Andrew Scott, sophomore Patrick Dixon, junior Ryan Farney and freshman Trey Smith – all in the first half.
The impressive catch that Smith made to put the Stags up 32-0 was a 19-yard launch from Reynolds that Smith caught and reached out into the end zone with one hand for the TD.
The Stags saw throws from four different passers in the game. In addition to Reynolds, sophomore Jack Gerstenberger and freshman Sam Healy took snaps at the quarterback position. CMS also converted on a fourth down with a pass by junior punter Tyler Stanek to Healy for 27 yards to continue a drive.
In addition to the five touchdowns on the day, sophomore kicker Matthew Aven contributed two field goals from distances of 36 and 25 yards.
The Poets' only points on the day came from a 42 yard field goal by Eric Voss near the beginning of the fourth quarter.
During halftime, six seniors on the team were recognized for their commitment to the program: Lucas Agnew, Chang, Peter Clancy, Chris Fang, Nick Nasse and Max Winsberg. This year's seniors make up the first graduating class to have spent all four of their years with Stag Football under Head Coach Kyle Sweeney.
CMS enters the final week of the season in preparation of retaining the Battle of Sixth Street trophy. The Stags face off against the Sagehens on the south side of Sixth Street at 1 p.m. on Nov. 15.
Post Game Interview: Coach Sweeney
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