NEWBERG, Ore -- After a big-time Sunday triumph in California, the George Fox football team will be back at home for the first time in 2024. 

The game, a 17-3 Bruin win, was originally scheduled for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Redlands, Calif., but was postponed due to poor air quality from the nearby Line Fire in San Bernardino County. The game was then moved one day and 33 miles west to Redlands' SCIAC rival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' stadium, where Bruins played in their first-ever Sunday football game since the program returned in 2014.

But now, Fox heads back north for the second annual Oregon Cup game. The four-year agreement between four Northwest Conference schools (George Fox, Pacific, Lewis & Clark, and Willamette) sees the teams play each other in one non-conference game. After Fox won in the inaugural game at Pacific, 14-9, the Bruins will welcome Willamette to Stoffer Family Stadium on September 14. Fox will look for a repeat of their 2023 meeting with the Bearcats, where the Bruins set numerous offensive records in a 63-10 win.

As was the case in that 63-10 win DeMontre Thomas II will command Ken Ingram's offense — one that played a very methodical game on Sunday. The senior starting quarterback threw for 137 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Bulldogs, connecting on several key throws to help keep the Bruin drives moving. Thomas also gained 18 total yards on the ground, including a 13-yard rush,

With Thomas II at QB, all 11 starters will remain the same for Fox's second game of the season. The two-headed backfield of Taylor Saben and William Moffitt will again see play, with Saben officially earning the start. Saben rushed for a team-high 76 yards while Moffitt earned one touchdown on the ground.

At receiver, Elias Polanski and River Osen will get the start. Kaelan Fry, who also saw time against Redlands and recorded one catch for 11 yards, is listed as the backup. Sheyden Iokia and Cobey Aldrich will both get lots of work as starting tight ends — on Sunday, Aldrich pulled down seven catches for 64 yards and a score, while Iokia recorded three receptions for 27 yards. 

The Bruins will trot out the same five linemen up front, with  Lawa Ah Yat, Dylan Pires, Kyle Osowski, Michael Echtle, and Zach Luworo all getting the start. The five linemen helped Fox amass 109 yards rushing versus Redlands, allowing just one sack.

Defensive coordinator John Bates' squad had an extremely effective debut game, allowing just three points and not giving up a first down until midway through the second quarter. For the defense, the Bruins will stick with Zak Holsey and Austin Harrison at corner, while Ty Borde, Kiegan Schaan, and Nolan Martin will be back at safety. Martin forced a fumble in the fourth quarter that Schaan recovered, and Borde totaled a pass breakup.

At linebacker, Noah Tack, Nash Wylie, and Dustin Kunze will all get the start for the second straight game. The trio of linebackers led the Bruins in tackles, with Wylie recording six and Kunze and Tack totaling five.

On the defensive line, Blake Mazurowski, Aaron Boyea, and Bryce Goetz will lead the way. Goetz had the top highlight of the three fifth-year seniors, recording a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.

Ben Rembisz and Riley Rutledge return after two big weeks kicking and punting. Rembisz was 2-2 on extra points and knocked in the fifth field goal of his career from 22 yards out, while Rutledge totaled four of his seven punts from inside the 20-yard line.

Fox's opponent, Willamette, also enters on a high; the Bearcats broke a nine-game losing streak with a 27-24 double-overtime victory over La Verne, their first victory in 371 — also over La Verne.

Kicker Nick Beswick-Seidl was the savior for Willamette in their victory; the junior kicked the game-tying 21-yard field goal with four seconds left and the game-winning 35-yard kick in double overtime to give his team the victory. Beswick-Seidl is listed as both the kicker and punter for Saturday's contest.

On offense, it will be Alex RiveraIV starting at quarterback for first-year head coach Aric Williams. The sophomore finished 15-35 for 191 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in his first career win as a starter. In his career, Rivera IV has thrown for 703 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Elijah Romero was the clear number-one receiver for Rivera against the Leopards, pulling in nine catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. The other starters for Willamette, Brandon Johnson, and Trajan Clark, pulled down a combined five catches, with Johnson having a long of 33 yards.

Starting running back Gabriel Herrera was the lone Bearcat to get things going in their last matchup against Fox, rushing for 110 yards and one touchdown. The Second Team All-NWC player ran for 91 yards and a score and a score against La Verne, but was outpaced by his backup — sophomore Jerrick Little ran for 100 yards. Expect a healthy dose of both backs on Saturday.

The defensive side for the Bearcats loses a key piece in All-NWC linebacker La'akea Like, but experienced defensive backs Landon Waters and Hogan Smith could provide some juice. Waters provided the lone takeaway for the Bearcats with an interception, while Nose Tackle Hriday Raj led the team with 2.5 tackles for loss.

As a squad, the Bearcats held the Leopards to 4/12 third down efficiency and 0/3 fourth down efficiency. They'll try to go head-to-head with a Bruin D that stifled Redlands to 2/13 on third down.

The game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PDT, with live stream and live stat links available on the Bruins' website. Before the game, the annual Starlight Parade will take place.