NEWBERG, Ore. -- One week after a tough Homecoming loss against Lewis and Clark, the George Fox football team has a chance to both rebound and answer questions.

The Bruins jumped out to an 18-point lead against Lewis and Clark, showing impressive flashes, before ultimately falling to the Pios, 31-37. Now, Fox travels to Tacoma to take on the Puget Sound Loggers.

Saturday's homecoming game against the Pios was the third time that the Bruins had used two quarterbacks, with DeMontre Thomas II getting the start and Max Richey closing the game. Richey took the reins at the beginning of the second quarter, throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two scores.

Despite Richey's performance against the Pios, the QB battle will continue in week six, with no clear starter listed between Thomas II and Richey for Puget Sound. For the season, Richey has thrown for 410 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Thomas II has thrown for 502 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Outside of the QB position, it's much of the same from both the Bruin offense and defense. Taylor Saben will get the start at tailback, with Logan Candanoza also receiving a share of the carries. River Osen, who missed the homecoming game due to injury, is projected to be back in the lineup, splitting time with Logan Klopfenstein, who caught his first career touchdown on Saturday. Dillan Dobbins, Elias Polanski, and Thomas McMillan will all see time at receiver and tight end.

Much like Osen, Matthew Phillips was a late scratch against Lewis & Clark due to a leg injury; however, the senior defensive back will not be ready to go against Puget Sound. Hunter Williams, who recorded six tackles against the Pios, will start for the Bruins. Outside of Phillips, the remaining 10 starters should take the field against the Loggers.

Ben Rembisz commanded the kicking duties for the Bruins against the Pios, hitting all four of his extra points and a 23-yard field goal in overtime. Thanks to his performance, Rembisz was officially named the starting kicker for the Bruins. Mikey Goforth will continue to handle punting duties.

Mason Binning is the starting quarterback for the Loggers and has performed well against familiar faces. Against Lewis & Clark, the junior was named NWC Student-Athlete of the Week thanks to a five-touchdown performance. Since that game though, Binning has thrown five interceptions and could be susceptible to a hungry Bruin defense.

Binning, Harry Hernandez, and Nick Fernandez all split carries, with each player hovering around the 20-carry mark for the season. Hernandez is the leading rusher for the season, with 122 yards and one touchdown. All-NWC receiver Izaiah Jerenz will receive the lion's share of targets — the senior has gone for over 100 yards in all three games, scoring six touchdowns on the season.

As a team, the Loggers may not generate pressure — UPS has just three sacks so far in 2023 — but they take advantage of misthrows. The Loggers have five interceptions and one defensive TD in just three games, the most in the NWC.

The Loggers and Bruins have both faced common opponents, each with different results. UPS has a 42-38 victory over Lewis & Clark and a 14-28 loss to Pacific under their belt, while the Bruins fell to the Pios, 31-37, but defeated the Boxers, 14-9. 

Since the Bruins reinstated the football program in 2014, Fox has a 5-3 record against the Loggers, winning four of the last five. Hungry to stay at the top of the Northwest Conference after back-to-back runner-up seasons, there's only one thing on the Bruins' mind as they head to Tacoma: redemption.