NEWBERG, Ore. -- With 1:20 left in the game, it looked like the George Fox football team had scored a massive victory in their home opener against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. A late miracle had led the Bruins to have the ball and looking to run out the clock, up 21-20. But then, disaster struck.

A fumble gave CMS the ball. A 96-yard passing touchdown gave them the game. And what seemed to be a surefire monumental victory for the Bruins turned into a back-breaking 28-21 loss.

How It Happened
The Bruins began the game fired up and ready to play, forcing a punt and embarking on a grueling 15-play, 92-yard drive; the drive featured nine runs (five of which were from Taylor Saben) and a big 22-yard pass from JJ Leman to Karsen Denault to get Fox in scoring range. After the drive seemingly stalled, a roughing the kicker penalty turned three points into seven as Leman hammered into the end zone to make the score 7-0.

CMS answered with a score of their own, with receiver Noah Macapulay taking a short pass over the middle and turning it into a 68-yard touchdown. A missed PAT kept Fox in front, but another Stag touchdown on their next drive put the road team up, 13-7. 

Kuyper Assink had the first big defensive play of the day for Fox, recovering a fumble on a bungled snap. The sophomore was quick to dive on the ball, giving his team possession in the red zone. Three plays and a pass interference later, Leman found the end zone again with another two-yard touchdown run. The lead would not be for long, though, as CMS again scored through the air with 14 seconds left to take a 20-14 lead into the break.

After the halftime discussions, the game starkly shifted from an offensive shootout to a defensive battle. The two teams managed just four total first downs and no points in the quarter, thanks to standout play from both defensive attacks. Jacob Erickson, who had made his presence felt in the first half, recorded a big sack midway through the period — a sign of things to come.

The fourth quarter began with a stalled CMS drive thanks to a sack from Erickson and Dane Johnson as the Bruins looked to take the lead with a touchdown. A 15-yard completion from Leman to Kaelan Frey helped get GFU into Stag territory, but the Bruin QB was sacked on a fourth down, giving Fox just one more chance to take the game.

Once again, Erickson stepped up. The senior defensive end looked like prime DeMarcus Ware in the fourth quarter and recorded another sack, this one forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Stags, to help get the ball into the Bruins' hands. With five minutes left, Leman found Frey and William Moffitt on moderate gains before scrambling for 21 yards to get into scoring position. However, the Bruins were pushed back again thanks to two holding penalties that made a near-red zone drive a 2nd & 30. Though Leman found Denault on that second down, Fox still faced a 4th & 14.

On that fourth down, Leman and Denault executed the plays of their young careers. The freshman QB calmly stepped back into the pocket, launching a ball 40 yards in the air that found his wide receiver. Denault fought through a CMS cornerback's pass interference to haul in the ball and send the 2,400 fans in attendance into hysterics. And the point after attempt by Ben Rembisz was deflected off a Stag lineman and over the uprights, it seemed Fox could do no wrong.

Defensively, Fox turned back to the well with two more sacks from Jacob Erickson (one of  which was credited as a half sack with Duke Alderete-Labuguen), and suddenly, the ball was back in the hands of the Bruins, up 21-20. "Jump Around" played over the loudspeaker, and everything seemed to be gearing up for a GFU win. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. 

Two plays later, Leman lost the football on a quarterback sneak, and CMS pounced on the ball. With the ball on their own four-yard line, QB Robert Litscher broke out of what looked like a sure-thing safety, escaping two tackles and finding Jaden Rattay down the far sideline for a 96-yard score. Though the Bruins managed to get into Hail Mary range to close the game, Leman's pass fell incomplete, handing Fox a devastating loss, 21-28.

Top Performances
Jacob Erickson was the story of the day, recording one of the best defensive stat lines in NWC football history. The senior had five sacks, a program record, led the team in tackles with 11, forced one fumble, and recorded three QB hurries. Silas Kincaid also recorded a sack for the Bruins, while Kuyper Assink had a fumble recovery. 

Despite the loss, JJ Leman had the best game of his young career, showing immense flashes of brilliance. The quarterback was 17-31 for 167 yards and a score, rushing for 55 yards and a TD as well. Taylor Saben rushed for 55 yards, while freshman receiver Karsen Denault recorded three catches for 78 yards and a TD.

What It Means
The Bruins fall to 0-3 on the season, while CMS improves to 2-0 on the season. Though Fox has yet to win a game, their three opponents are currently 7-0 on the season.

What Happens Next
Fox will have a bye week before hosting Linfield (1-1) for Homecoming, where the Bruins will look to pick up their first win over the Wildcats since their return to the gridiron in 2014.