NEWBERG, Ore. -- For the third straight game, the George Fox football team fell victim to a last-second loss. Though a strong running game and two explosive passes rallied the Bruins from an early deficit, Fox ultimately fell to the Puget Sound Logger, 27-29.

How It Happened
The two teams couldn't have started out hotter, with each squad scoring in a vastly different way. Puget Sound came out of the gates with a grueling 16-play, 83-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard rushing TD before the Bruins struck on their first play from scrimmage with a 62-yard connection between Max Richey and Dillan Dobbins. After the Loggers countered with another touchdown, Fox struggled to gain yards, punting on their next four possessions.

By the second quarter, it became clear that the Bruins would attack the Loggers by playing smash-mouth football. Richey's first-play bomb would be the only completion of the day for the senior, as he split time at QB with DeMontre Thomas II. Fox would only complete four passes on the day, instead focusing on running the ball through the UPS defense. After a scoreless second period for Fox that saw one missed field goal and three punts, Fox headed into the half trailing, 7-17.

A rejuvenated Bruin squad took the field in the third quarter, beginning the half with much like they did the game. A Thomas II scramble gained 30 yards, setting up a 34-yard Taylor Saben rushing touchdown to close the gap to 14-17. Nine minutes and a Logger field goal later, the Bruins continued to ground and pound the ball through the defense — Fox countered with three rushes for 51 yards from William Moffitt and a one-yard punch in from Logan Candanoza to take a 21-20 lead.

After rushing the ball for the entire third quarter, Fox entered the fourth with a trick up their sleeve; Thomas II found Saben on the backside screen pass for the 59-yard touchdown to extend the lead; after a missed extra point, though, the lead remained at seven, 27-20.

The Loggers once again chewed the clock, embarking on an eight-minute drive that featured two fourth-down conversions to bring the game to its final moments. With two minutes remaining in the game, Michael Toa burst through the line for a five-yard touchdown. The Loggers didn't want just the tie, opting to go for the lead with a two-point conversion. Mason Binning's pass was complete across the flat to Tommy Milton, but the UPS receiver was stuffed at the line by Nolan Martin to keep Fox in front.

Up one point and needing a first down to clinch the game, the Bruin offense was stifled by a false start penalty and forced to punt after just three plays, giving the ball back to the Loggers. Needing just a field goal, Binning completed five passes on the final drive, including a 25-yard fourth down completion to put the Loggers in field goal range. Before the long completion, the Loggers debated kicking a 40-yard field goal but opted to go for it after a Bruin timeout.

Staring at a 16-yard field goal to win the game, kicker Jordi De La Torre pushed the ball through the uprights as time expired to hand the George Fox football team their third straight heartbreaking loss. 

Top Performers
DeMontre Thomas II finished the day 3/10 for 80 yards and a TD, while Taylor Saben and Dillan Dobbins each recorded a receiving touchdown. William Moffitt led the team with six rushes for 83 yards, with Saben rushing for 81 yards and a TD and Logan Candanoza running for a score as well. 

Defensively, Jacob Erickson recorded two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while Nash Wylie led the team with 13 tackles, and Austin Canchola recorded 11 tackles and an interception.

Coach's Thoughts
Soon to come.

What It Means
Fox drops to 1-4 (0-2 NWC) with the loss while the Loggers improve to 2-2 (1-1 NWC).

What Happens Next
The Bruins will travel on the road for the second straight game, taking on the Linfield Wildcats in McMinnville. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.