THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran running back Chris Beeson ran for a school record five touchdowns as the Kingsmen defeated the Whittier College Poets 60-34 Saturday night inside William Rolland Stadium.
The Kingsmen got off to a hot start and scored on their first four possessions and had a 25-0 lead. Each drive lasted less than two minutes with the shortest drive lasting 38 seconds and the longest drive being 1 minute and 37 seconds. Cal Lutheran maintained that lead throughout the game and coasted throughout the second half.
Beeson rushed 18 times for 159 yards and the five touchdowns. His touchdown runs came from all distances. Two of the touchdowns came from 25-yards out. He also scampered for touchdowns of one, five and 12 yards. Six Cal Lutheran running backs had previously rushed for four touchdowns.
The rushing attack didn't stop with Beeson. Kayden Clements, Eli Peters and Devonte Dixon each ran for one rushing touchdown as Cal Lutheran combined for eight rushing touchdowns in the game. The quartet set a school record for most rushing touchdowns for a team in a game. Altogether, the Violet and Gold rushed for 379 yards with a 7.0 average.
Adam Friederichsen was 12-for-25 with 206 yards and one passing touchdown. Wendell O'Brien caught two passes including a 20-yard touchdown reception.
Defensively, the Kingsmen forced the Poets to punt on its first five drives. They also intercepted two passes and recovered one fumble.
Ty Lozano led the team with 8.0 total tackles. Ethan Pulley added 2.0 tackles for loss including 1.5 sacks. Obasi Dees and Jerome Hull each intercepted a pass and Jose Carranza recovered the fumble. The Kingsmen forced the Poets to punt eight times and held them to 4 of 14 on third downs.
The Kingsmen are now 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Southern California Athletic Intercollegiate Conference. Cal Lutheran is the No. 2 team in the SCIAC and faces No. 1 Chapman next Saturday at 7 p.m. in Orange California. The winner will sit atop the conference standings.
Box Score: CLU 60, WC 34
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Interim Sports Information Director
