NEWBERG, Oregon (October 12, 2024) - Logger Football (1-4, 0-2 NWC) was unable to gain momentum this week while visiting the George Fox Bruins. Coming off of an second half comeback loss last week, Head Coach Jeff Thomas quickly identified that although plenty of individual talent exists on the team, they need to work better together as a unit to succeed as one. This week, there were snippets of improvements, but "inconsistent play cost [the Loggers] the opportunity to stay in the game, early in the game." 

The Loggers decided to start strong after winning the coin toss and electing to receive the ball, opting to ride the highs of last week's first half offensive showing versus Pacific University. After a few short gains, both on the ground and in the air, Bruin Noah Tack forced a fumble during a Henry Hernandez rush to the Logger 37-yard line, which was recovered by Bruin Ethan Price. The Bruins didn't let up the pressure, starting their offensive sequence with a 37 yard pass down the sideline to the UPS 3-yard line, setting them up for their first score of the game with 11:33 left in the first quarter. The Loggers received the kickoff after a failed Bruin PAT, and were forced to punt after two completions by Mason Binning and a sack for a loss of nine yards on third down. George Fox forced the Loggers to punt a total of five times throughout the match, at one point leading the Loggers 0-20.

After a missed field goal from the Bruins and a turnover on downs by the Loggers shortly thereafter, the Bruins took the ball again, utilizing the rush and quick passing abilities to drive down the field, resulting in another touchdown. After a few punts, and then another turnover on downs by the Loggers, UPS defensive back Tamaaulelei Maalona picked off Bruins quarterback DeMontre Thomas, running a 45-yard return to the George Fox 45. It was this interception, along with work from Isaac Tran, Henry Hernandez, and of course, Mason Binning, that led to the first touchdown for the Loggers with 9:06 left in the first quarter.

The Loggers did their best to catch up to the Bruins throughout the remainder of the game, but their efforts were stumped on George Fox's homecoming by not only pressures in the backfield, but also the inability to get the defense off the field and the ball back in Binning's hands; George Fox held the majority of the possession, and it took until about two minutes left in the third quarter for each team to complete a drive.

The Loggers' only remaining touchdown came on a Joe Ghallagher snag - his 12th of the game - secured by a toe-tap in the back of the end zone after Binning picked a low snap off of the turf, got his eyes up, and found Ghallager's #5 jersey. 

Catch the Loggers at home next Saturday at 1:00pm as they host the Whitworth Pirates.