FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- For the first time since 2022, the George Fox football team clinched a winning record.
The Bruins did it thanks to a stout defense, holding off the Pacific Boxers and earning a hard-fought 23-14 victory.
How It Happened
Both Bruin quarterbacks —
JJ Leman and
Austin Ramsey — started the game in the backfield, with Ramsey rushing for a three-yard gain to start the game. The teams traded punts, with only Pacific gaining a first down on the teams' opening drives.Â
Fox's first big play came on the first play of the second drive; Leman hit
Karsen Denault on the screen pass, and he did what
Karsen Denault does best — get yards. The sophomore superstar broke free and raced off for a 45-yard gain, setting up a Leman rushing touchdown to give GFU a 7-0 lead at the end of the quarter.
The teams again traded punts, and Fox went back on the attack. Leman found
Bupe Chisanga Jr. for a 14-yard gain on 3rd and 13, putting the Bruins deeper within Boxer territory.
Lyal Viers and Ramsey traded rushes, setting up all-time scoring record holder
Ben Rembisz for the 31-yard attempt to put the Bruins up 10-0. A pass breakup from
Ben Nuss helped get the ball back in the hands of the Bruins, but Leman's deep pass to end the half was incomplete, keeping Fox up 10 at the break.
As with the previous two quarters, the third quarter started slow offensively — but the defenses came to play. A Bruin fumble gave Pacific the ball at midfield, but
Jacob Erickson was there to swing things back with a 15-yard sack. The ensuing punt was partially blocked by
Ethan Cate and recovered by
Kainui Iokia, giving Fox the ball at midfield.
Ramsey came through with one of the biggest runs of the day, knifing through the defense for a 20-yard gain. Then, it was Leman's turn, scrambling for an 11-yard gain and setting up Fox in the red zone. Finally, the Bruins kept it on the ground again, with Viers punching it in from two yards out. While the PAT was blocked, Fox still led 16-0. A 32-yard Pacific return helped the Boxers to their first score of the day, and a two-point conversion made it a one-possession game at the end of the third, 16-8.
The Bruins began the fourth quarter strong as Viers cut into a first and long after a penalty. Leman then capped it off with a nine-yard scramble on third and eight, but another third-down sack ended Fox's drive. Leman's acrobatics were no match compared to Denault's on the next drive. The sophomore took a swing pass from Ramsey, evaded defenders down the far sideline, and cut all the way back across the field for a 37-yard gain. That gain quickly set up an 18-yard Viers TD on the next play, putin Fox up, 23-8.
While the Boxers were able to march their way down the field and score, the Fox defense stepped up, pressuring Nicanor into throwing an incomplete pass.
Chavis Lee was able to corral the spinning onside kick and give Fox the ball with two minutes remaining. With three Boxers timeouts, though, the game was far from over.
Viers made sure to end any thoughts of a comeback before they started, gaining a first down on GFU's first carry of the drive. Then, two plays later,
Damien Ehlers finished things off with a 10-yard run of his own as the Bruins ran out the clock to their third straight win, 23-14.
Top Performers
The Bruins utilized two quarterbacks throughout the game:
JJ Leman finished 13-15 for 124 yards, while
Austin Ramsey was 4-5 for 72 yards. Leman ran for 36 yards and a TD, while Ramsey ran for 38 yards.
Lyal Viers led the team in rushing, picking up 74 yards and scoring twice.
Karsen Denault was again the favorite target for both QBs. Denault had eight catches for 115 yards.
Defensively,
Ty Borde,
Ben Nuss,
Eli Miller, and
Jacob Erickson each led the team with five tackles, with Erickson having a sack and two TFLs.
Jack Neale had one sack, while
Ethan Price and
Tyven Self-Gomes-Kealakai had a half. Nuss led the way with two pass breakups. On the special teams side,
Riley Rutledge had three punts for 111 yards, pinning two inside the 20.
Ben Rembisz made his lone FG attempt of the day from 31 yards out.
Coach's Thoughts
"Our guys showed grit today," Bruin head coach
Spencer Crace said. "The second half was ugly, but our guys found a way to finish. Excited to learn from this game. Situational football is an area that we are still learning and growing. Can't wait to get back to work for one more opportunity to chase excellence."
What It Means
The Bruins have their first winning record since the 2022 season, improving to 6-3 (3-3 NWC) on the season. Pacific falls to 2-7 (2-4 NWC).Â
What Happens Next
Fox will finish up their season with a Senior Day matchup against Pacific Lutheran (3-6, 2-4 NWC). Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 1:00 pm, with Senior Day festivities before the kick.
