TACOMA, Wash. -- Homecoming and Family weekend brings the best fans to Baker Stadium for a long-standing tradition, as the Loggers took on the George Fox Bruins on Homecoming.
How it Happened
Following back-to-back wins, the Loggers got off to an electric start, putting up 17 unanswered points in the first half.
Brady Beck got the team going on the opening possession, completing two quick passes to
Dillon Whitfield to get the Log rolling. Despite the quick start, the Loggers were forced to punt the ball away shortly after. Puget Sound's defense was able to hold steady early, forcing a couple of tough third downs, and stumping the Bruin offense.
The Bruins marched down to the Logger 25-yard line, but the defense wasn't done yet. In a disguised coverage,
Dylan Ott perfectly jumped a pass, taking the interception to the house to give the Loggers a 7-0 lead. The interception was the longest interception returned for a touchdown this season, totaling 80 yards on Ott's way to the end zone.
Peyton Damasiewicz got to work on the ensuing drive, recording both a tackle and a sack to force a Bruin three-and-out. Beck and the Loggers got the ball back at their own 35, and drove down the field with plenty to show for.
Drake Granberry III hauled in a 13-yard pass,
Jonah Wilson got the ball moving on the ground, and Beck threw some great completions to some well-covered receivers. Moving the ball down into the red zone, Beck threaded the needle to find Granberry for the 14-yard score.
Damasiewicz continued to ball out defensively, sacking Fox's quarterback for the second time in the first quarter.
Tyler Evars had great coverage to hold the Bruins to a 4-yard gain on a third and long, focing yet another Bruin punt. At the end of the first quarter, Puget Sound started to drive the ball down the field yet again. Beck connected with Granberry for a 57-yard catch and run, setting the Loggers up in great field position.
Despite a couple of solid plays, the Loggers were unable to find the end zone.
Thomas Goeglein knocked down a 30-yard field goal, giving the Loggers a fantastic 17-0 lead.
The next drive, the Bruins found the end zone, and got the ball back after forcing a fumble on the ensuing kick off. All of a sudden, the momentum shifted to George Fox, as the Bruins pulled back within three. A Logger punt turned the ball back over to the Bruins. But the defense was able to force a key turnover.
Tyler Evars forced a fumble, giving the Logs the ball at midfield. The Bruins converted this time, taking a 21-17 halftime lead.
The second half got off to a great start, as Damasiewicz forced two errant throws to force a Bruin three-and-out. Beck and the Loggers couldn't convert on a 4th and 1, which gave the Bruins the ball at the Loggers' 34-yard line. A touchdown just a moment later made it 28-17, but there was still lots of football to be played.The team couldn't quite seem to get the Log rolling on offense, though, as they were forced to punt on the next posession. Fox responded with a touchdown, making it 35-17 in the third.
The Loggers got close to the end zone in the fourth quarter, as Beck drove the Loggers deep into Bruin territory. A 20-yard pass to Granberry got the crowd back into it, and positioned Puget Sound at the George Fox 39.
Kasey Williams, who had a pretty quiet day up until this point, hauled in a 20-yard grab to get down to the Bruins' 24. An interception on third and goal ended the drive, as the Loggers couldn't quite convert.
After the Bruins burnt six minutes of clock marching down the field, Traevon Pfifer came up with a huge sack on fourth down. He gave the ball back to the Loggers with 6:48 to go, needing a well-played final seven minutes in order to turn it around. Beck connected with Williams for a 31-yard gain down the middle of the field, needing only one play to get on Fox's side of the field. Another failed 4th-down conversion stopped the drive as the Bruins ran out the clock.
Granberry had a great game, securing six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Damasiewicz was a force to be reckoned with, finishing with 13 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 quarterback hurries to lead the defensive efforts.
What Happens Next
The Loggers travel to Pacific next Saturday, October 31st, with kickoff at 1:00 pm.
