Football takes homecoming 34-0
by David Kolek
The Lewis & Clark football team beat NCIC rival University of Puget Sound 34-0 on Oct. 18.
This victory at Griswold Stadium came before a large crowd of alumni which made the trip to Palatine Hill for LC’s Homecoming Weekend.
LC started well against Puget Sound and proceeded to systematically take control of all facets of the game. The offense and defense both worked together to bring about this total victory.
Midway through the first quarter of action LC went on scoring strike so quick, it would have been easily missed if one had stepped out for nachos.
Drew Jordan hit Jesse Ortiz for an 88-yard touchdown reception. One play and the Pioneers took the lead at 7-0.
Before the quarter ended, the Pioneer defense answered with a drive of its own. LC’s Dave McLain, a senior defensive back, intercepted a Puget Sound pass deep within LC territory and returned it for a staggering 86-yard touchdown return.
The quarter closed with LC out in front 14-0.
The Pioneers did not rest with this advantage, they continued to add more to their lead.
Thanks to good defense, the Pioneer offense found themselves in good scoring position just before the third period ended.
Jordan, who would finish with 353 passing yards, took advantage of this field position by connecting with Aaron Schmidt for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Schmidt would add another touchdown to his season total midway through the fourth quarter. On this drive, it was freshman quarterback Travis Vlach who found Schmidt for a 36-yard touchdown.
The LC defense, which stymied all of Puget Sound’s attempts to cross the goal line, would add one more touchdown to the total. With less than a minute remaining in the game, junior defensive back Koko Hunt picked off a Logger pass and took it back for a 52-yard touchdown return.
LC walked off the field with an impressive 34-0 victory over Puget Sound. LC’s decorated running back Jesse Ortiz finished with 66 yards rushing and another 110 yards receiving. On the defensive side, which supplied 14 points of offense, freshman Andrew Carr stood out with eight tackles and one sack. McLain finished with six tackles and two interceptions, including the one he ran back for a touchdown.
The runaway victory is LC’s first against an NCIC league opponent. LC will look to continue their winning ways on the road this Saturday, Oct. 25 against Linfield College.
