Photo Taken By: Kevin Cline

REDLANDS, Calif. --- It was a riveting game for George Fox football Saturday night, as the Bruins kicked off their final nonconference match-up against Redlands in a 31-22 loss.

Recap:
The Bruins drew first blood in the opening quarter after Grant Schroeder helped the Bruins get into the red zone, but after a three-and-out Uriel Gonzalez was called upon. The Bruins' kicker nailed the 20-yard field goal to give the Bruins a 3-0 advantage.  The Bulldogs were able to respond before the end of the quarter with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Cole Blackburn that put the Bruins down four, 7-3.

Redlands continued its efforts into the second, with another touchdown after a 10-play drive resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Conner Kennedy. The Bruins did well to gain and keep possession, using 15 plays to march down the field for another Gonzalez field goal.

The Bruins went into the half down by eight, 14-6.

In the third, the Bruins began a drive on their own ten yard line. Unfazed by the field position, Schroeder led the Bruins down field for the next five and a half minutes – the longest possession of the game. The 12-play drive resulted in Schroeder striding into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to one point, 14-13.

Momentum shifted back to the Bruins on the very next possession after the Bruins' defense forced the Bulldogs to punt. Brad Lander sneaked by the edge and blocked the punt resulting in the Bruins starting with the ball in the red zone. Although they went three-and-out, Gonzalez had the answer, nailing a 30-yard field goal to put the Bruins ahead, 16-14. Redlands scored with 3:07 left in the quarter, but Schroeder found Lander on the first play of the next possession for an 84-yard touchdown pass to put the Bruins ahead 22-21.

The Bulldogs scored a field goal to end the third quarter and another touchdown to end the game and seal their victory, 31-22.

Top Performers:
Lander set a new record for George Fox in receiving with a career-high 162 yards on eight catches. The previous record was held by him at Puget Sound in 2015 (8 rec., 144 yards). Gonzalez was stellar for the Bruins, going 3-for-3 in field goals and 1-for-1 in extra points. The Bruins' defense forced two turnovers and Dominick Fix-Gonzalez led the squad with 11 tackles. Justin Kruse recovered one fumble, while Austin Taylor snagged an interception. Charles Riga recorded seven tackles with one for a loss of yardage. Schroeder went 11-21 for 185 yards and one touchdown in the air and on the ground. 

What Comes Next:
The Bruins have a bye next week and host Whitworth University at 2 p.m. on Oct. 1 during homecoming weekend.