TACOMA, Wash. (Sept. 7, 2024) - Senior quarterback Mason Binning is confident that the Loggers are ready to go for the first game of the year against Lewis & Clark in this year's Northwest Scholar Series competition. Binning is familiar with how important it is to "use our tools" to his advantage, as he did so when he led the Loggers to a thrilling 42-38 win last season in the Scholar Series season opener against Lewis & Clark.
Binning, who was second in the nation in pass completions per game last season, never fails to quickly praise his teammates all across the board: "We have some hungry offensive linemen down in the trenches who have been putting in the work in the offseason. I've loved their energy throughout fall camp and how they're leading by example." He also highlighted one of many of the other talents on the offensive side of the ball: WR Isaac Tran. "He's a bright spot in this offense, and [on the] team as a whole… he's a true vertical threat."
The Loggers are moving into this season without recently-graduated key wide receiver Izaiah Jerenz who led all divisions of NCAA football in receptions, but it's clear that many have stepped up to fill his shoes, such as junior Joe Gallagher and senior Liam Smith, both receivers who expected to have a massive impact on this offense.
On the other side of the ball, Head Coach Jeff Thomas continuously praises Jayson Barber, Amarian Culpepper, Tyler Evars, Max Arneklev, Steven Anaya, and Matt Oppliger - all standout stars who have time and time again proved their worth as defensive savants. Thomas points out that this is one of the strongest recruiting classes in recent years, and many of the new players are expected to contribute in-game immediately, especially on special teams.
As noted directly by junior quarterback Hayden Teeter, and echoed around the practice field: "We don't need to worry about them. We just need to do our job."
The Loggers take on a mature Lewis & Clark team in Portland, OR, at 1:00pm today. The Pios have a total of 107 on their roster, with 44 student-athletes participating in their third, forth, or fifth year of collegiate football. 22 of their team are seniors. Last season, the Loggers bested the Pios in the preseason with a 42-38 win, but then fell later in Northwest Conference play, 24-66.
The Loggers' home opener is next week, Sept. 14th, when Southwestern University (TX), visits for a preseason exhibition game. Then, Puget Sound travels back south - this time to California to meet the University of La Verne Leopards on Sept. 21st. After a bye week, the Loggers take on Pacific University Boxers at home for the start of Northwest Conference competition.
To view the entire Logger Football Schedule, click here.
To view the livestream for Sept. 7 @ Lewis & Clark College, click here.
To view live stats for Sept. 7 @ Lewis & Clark College, click here.
