FOREST GROVE, Ore. --- The George Fox football team took on the Boxers of Pacific (Ore.) looking to level the season series on Friday, Apr. 9, and came away with a 35-7 win after forcing six turnovers.

How It Happened

The Bruins jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after forcing a Boxer fumble at the Pacific 18-yard line. Four plays and 18 yards later, the Bruins punched it in with a toss from Haiden Schaan to Josh Hauenstein for the score. The teams traded punts until another fumble was forced by the Bruin defense at the Boxers' 46-yard line. While the Bruins weren't able to score on that drive, they were able to force another punt and after the Boxers' punter shanked it, George Fox got great field position at the Boxers' 37-yard line. Schaan and Faufano Autele did the work with their legs and Autele punched it in for the score to make it 14-0 with 14 seconds left in the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, the Bruins threw an interception but were able to force and recover a fumble on the return attempt to keep their drive alive. Logan Candanoza got two touches on the drive, including a four-yard touchdown carry to make it 21-0 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, George Fox surrendered a touchdown after the Boxers burned almost ten minutes with a 16-play, 97-yard touchdown drive to make it 21-7.

In the fourth quarter, the Bruins were able to get the touchdown back and then some. A six-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brennan Stults to River Osen to make it 28-7. A 45-yard interception return by Abe Smith set up great field position once again on the Boxers' 12-yard line on the next drive. An 11-yard completion to Dylan Quist-Knopf and a seven-yard scramble from Stults ended in six points after Stults delivered a blow at the pylon and drilled a would-be tackler for the score and a 35-7 lead.

A muffed punt with four minutes left gave the Bruins another forced turnover and the ball on the Boxer 30-yard line. The Bruins turned it over on downs, but with the game well in hand, they were able to cruise to the win by a four-touchdown margin.

Top Performers

Schaan and Stults each threw a touchdown in the win and Stults, Autele, and Candanoza each added a score with their legs in the win. Osen and Hauenstein each had touchdown catches and Logan Hanbey led with 37 yards receiving.

On defense, Jaron Marks made a team-high five tackles, including three solos, a half-tackle for loss, and forced a fumble. Austin Brockamp and Aaron Valenzuela also forced a fumble apiece, and Smith's 45-yard interception was another highlight-reel play on the defensive side of the ball. Justin Montijo also came up with a pick in the win.

On special teams, Nick Charles was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points with two touchbacks on kickoffs, Ethan Hoffman pinned four punts inside the Boxers' 20-yard line, and Lee Terrell made a 23-yard kick return.

What It Means

The Bruins finish their season at 1-1 overall and in conference with 2021 spring season in the books.