Stags Fall in Conference Opener to Defending Champs
The 2009 Stags set a goal for themselves this year to win the SCIAC Championship and they knew that the first step was defeating the visiting Occidental Tigers, the 2008 SCIAC Champions. Although they fell short on this day, the Stags came away knowing they can compete with the elite teams in the conference. Engaged in fierce battle with Occidental, the Stags were leading early in the 3rd quarter. But two costly turnovers in Stag territory proved to be too much to overcome as Occidental would cash in on those turnovers to build a two touchdown cushion. The final score of 42-21 was not nearly indicative of how closely contested the battle was. These 2009 Stags now face an uphill path and must win games through rest of the schedule in order to accomplish their goal, starting with the University of La Verne next Saturday.
The game started very explosive for the Stags. The defense came up huge with an interception by senior captain Brock Olson (Sr, DB, Lake Oswego, OR [pictured-right]) on the game's first possession. The Stags' offense capitalized with a 27 yard touchdown strike from Scott Yingling (Jr, QB, Chicago, IL) to Nick Marineau (Sr, WR, Portland, OR [pictured-left]) on their first play from scrimmage. The defense once again held Occidental scoreless on the next possession forcing a missed field goal as the Stags took over in their own territory. The offense had no trouble moving the ball down the field when Scott Yingling hit Mike Hirokawa (Sr, RB/WR, Aiea, HI) for a 56 yard reception taking the ball down to the 5 yard line. Just as it appeared the Stags would quickly go up 14-0 on Occidental, a demoralizing penalty was called negating the breakout play. The Stags would eventually stall out on the drive. Occidental was able muster out a score to tie the game at 7-7 as the rest of the half was a defensive battle. Going into halftime tied, both teams knew there was still a lot left in the tank and the victory would go to the team that didn't blink first.
The second half started much like the first did for the Stags. They started with the ball first and took the ensuing kickoff and marched right down the field on a 7-play, 63-yard drive capped off by a 5-yard touchdown scamper by senior captain D.J. Lillard (Sr, RB, Phoenix, AZ) to go up 14-7. Occidental would answer on the next drive to tie it up at 14. Two costly turnovers in Stag territory on the next two possessions would prove to be the difference in the game, the first coming on a fumble and the second being an interception as Scott Yingling was hit while throwing the ball. Two Occidental touchdowns in less than two minutes put the Tigers up 28-14. The two freebies would have been enough to make most teams quit, but not these Stags. They showed the grit and determination of champions as they took the ball on the next possession and pounded their way downfield on 12-play, 60-yard drive punctuated by another touchdown pass from Scott Yingling but this time to Mike Hirokawa from 8 yards out. The Stags were only down 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter. But Occidental would prove why they are the defending champions as they would not relinquish command of their lead. A 30-yard touchdown strike by Occidental on a 2nd down and 25 yards to go play ended up being the proverbial nail in the coffin. A late meaningless score by Occidental provided the final score at 42-21.
Nick Marineau led all receivers in a productive passing day with 4 receptions and 54 yards with a touchdown to be the Stags' Offensive Player of the Game. Brock Olson had 9 tackles and an interception with a pass break up to garner the award of Defensive Player of the Game. Jack Lamb had over 100 yards on the day returning kickoffs and for that won Special Teams Player of the Game. The Stags (2-1, 0-1 SCIAC) now prepare to go on the road to face LaVerne (0-3, 0-1), who is looking to get their first victory on the year. The teams square off on Oct. 10 at 1:00pm.
