In a game that didn’t feature a punt until there were eight minutes left in the third quarter, the Lewis and Clark Pioneers outlasted the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens 48-39. The Pioneers ventured into uncharted scoring territory behind the strong play of Keith Welch, their athletic sophomore quarterback, while the Sagehens continued to lean on running back Luke Sweeney PO ’13.
After eight touchdowns and a narrow 28-27 lead for Lewis and Clark, both defensive units stepped up their pressure in the second half. The Pioneers scored two quick touchdowns, but the Sagehens came fluttering back, drawing within two points of evening the score. However, quarterback Luke Ferguson PO ’13 just missed a two-point conversion attempt, the Pioneers added another touchdown later in the fourth, and the nine-point deficit proved too much for the Sagehens to overcome. Ferguson finished with over 200 yards and two touchdowns, while Sweeney added an impressive 187 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, besting the 176 yards he put up last weekend.
The Sagehens will receive some well-deserved rest during their bye next week before hosting Chapman on Saturday, Oct. 1, in their first 7:00 p.m. game under the lights.