REDLANDS, Calif. — California Lutheran University football closed out the 2021 regular season on the road as the Kingsmen traveled to Redlands to take on the Bulldogs for the Smudge Pot Trophy on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs came out on top and defeated the Kingsmen 56-28. 

The Kingsmen jumped out to the early lead, with the first play of the game being an 82-yard strike from Nick Lasher to Cameron Jones. Cal Lutheran made it 14-0, with 1:34 left in the first, as James McNamara connected on a 36-yard pass with Isaiah Martin. 

Both drives took just one play, as the offense and defense put the pressure on the Bulldogs. Redlands answered the call, outscoring Cal Lutheran 28-0 in the second and 21-0 in third.

The Kingsmen tried to cut back into the lead, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth, a seven-yard pass from Lasher to Ben Anderson, and then Lasher hit Jackson Taylor for a 30-yard score. 

Defensively, Connor McDermott led the way with 12 total tackles, with two tackles for loss. Zion Brown was next with seven tackles, Caleb Casimere recorded six and Daylen Wilson, Gabriel Hernandez and Pete Mitchell each had five. 

Casimere and Randal Voutt both added two tackles for loss. Casimere also recorded a sack and Voutt had an interception. 

Lasher ended with a stat line of 20-of-29 passes for 306 yards and three passing touchdowns.  The Kingsmen recorded 146 rushing yards as Taylor (42 yards), Nicholas Acosta (38), Lasher (25), Hector Gonzalez (22) and Isaiah Martin (19) each made in impact on the ground. 

Jones led the receiving core with 107 yards and one touchdown, including the 82-yard score. Anderson recorded five catches for 47 yards, and nine more Kingsmen caught a pass. 

Cal Lutheran was efficient on offense, totaling 514 yards on the day. The Kingsmen also went 6-of-12 on third-downs and 2-for-4 on fourth downs. The Purple and Gold averaged 7.1 yards per play, but allowed the Bulldogs to 9.7. Redlands controlled the ground game and put up 295 yards. 

The Kingsmen won three non-conference games in 2021 and added three conference wins. It was the first year under Head Coach Anthony Lugo, and the Kingsmen showed they are ready to compete at the top of the conference. 

Box Score: UR 56, CLU 28
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director