NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox football team heads into their final nonconference game of the weekend for a chance at a 3-0 start for just the second time since the program returned in 2014.

The Bruins made quick work of Willamette the week prior, taking a program-record 31-0 halftime lead over the Bearcats to win their second game of the year. Now, Fox looks to replicate that success as they welcome the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags to Stoffer Family Stadium.

The 2023 meeting was a defensive slugfest, with the game tied 7-7 in the waning seconds before a late field goal and touchdown gave CMS the 16-7 victory. 

DeMontre Thomas II will be behind center again for the Bruins, following a masterful performance against Willamette. The senior quarterback threw 238 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown as well in just three quarters of action. Against the Stags in 2023, Thomas II played in half of the game, throwing for 69 yards and one touchdown.

After one of the best rushing of his career, Taylor Saben will get the start at tailback for the Bruins. The junior running back rushed for 85 yards and two scores against the Bearcats. Backing up Saben will be William Moffit, who had 10 carries in the previous week's win.

It will be next-man-up for the Bruins at wide receiver. Though Elias Polanski and River Osen — who combined for nine catches and 123 yards against the Bearcats — will be starting, Thomas McMillan will be in for Sheyden Iokia. McMillan switched from tight end to wide receiver before the season and has recorded 12 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown thus far into his career. Also holding down the fort at tight end is Cobey Aldrich, who has caught a TD pass in each of the first two games of 2024.

Similarly to McMillan for Iokia, Sean Brewster will fill in for Zach Luworo on the line, who is not listed on the depth chart for the Bruins after starting the past 22 games at the tackle position. Brewster has appeared in two games in his career, including the win over Willamette. Joining the sophomore on the line are Lawa Ah Yat, Dylan Pires, Kyle Osowski, and Michael Echtle.

Defensively, it will be the same 11 starters as the past two games. Thus far, those 11 starters have locked down opponents — the Bruins currently sit first in the conference and 25th in the nation with 8.5 points against per game. 

Fresh off of a 10-tackle game against the Bearcats, Nash Wylie will command the defense from the linebacker position. The fifth-year senior will be joined by Noah Tack and Dustin Kunze. On the defensive line, Blake Mazurwoski, Aaron Boyea, and Bryce Goetz are all slated to start. Backup Slias Kincaid, who recorded eight tackles, including two for loss, should also see playing time.

In the defensive backfield, Zak Holsey and Austin Harrison hold down the corners. Harrison recorded his first career interception in the win over Willamette, while Holsey looks to replicate his nine-tackle performance against the Stags in 2023. Ty Borde, who had two pass breakups against Willamette, Kiegan Schaan, and Nolan Martin will round out the defense in the safety position.

While the Bruin defense sits 25th in the nation in points allowed, the CMS defensive 11 currently leads Division III. Though the sample size is small — the Stags have only played one game compared to the Bruins' two — CMS has yet to allow a point on the season. The Stags held Chicago to just 189 yards of offense, never allowing the Maroon offense to cross midfield and forcing four turnovers in a 24-0 win.

Senior safety Jacob O'Connell will lead the Stag defense into Newberg. After a 2023 season with five interceptions, O'Connell was named to the D3football.com All-Region First Team. He will be joined by senior Elijah Costa, who was named to the SCIAC Team of the Week thanks to a key interception and sack against Chicago.

Rounding out the fleet of All-Region and All-Conference defenders are defensive lineman Michael Houk and linebacker Joey Asta. Houk intercepted a pass on the line in the win over the Maroons, while Asta recorded two tackles for loss.

The Stag offense has its share of workhorses as well, with SCIAC Offensive Player of the Year Justin Edwards. Edwards, the leading rusher in Claremont-Mudd-Scripps history after three seasons, was also named D3football.com All-Region Second Team after recording 850 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. In his first game of the season, the senior had 20 carries for 94 yards and a score. 

CMS used a two-quarterback system in the win over Chicago, with Walter Kuhlenkamp and Peter Boehm splitting snaps throughout the game. Kuhlenkamp totaled more passes, finishing 10-19 with 117 yards and an interception, while Boehm was used in spot situations around the goal line, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another. The senior Kuhlenkamp, who was named First Team All-SCIAC in 2023, is projected to get the start.

Anderson Cynkar is the top receiver of the team, pulling down six catches for 76 yards against Chicago. Gabe Menedez, listed as one of the backup wide receivers, is currently second on the team with 52 receiving yards.

The meeting between the two teams will officially be the second, following their 2023 matchup. Thanks to two strong defenses, each with an offense capable of dynamic plays, expect a hard-fought game on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with live stream, live stats, and ticket links available on the Bruins' website.