By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
The University of Redlands football team is hoping to get one more shot at Occidental, the only team it has lost to this season.
But for that to even be a possibility the Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1) have to get past Cal Lutheran (6-2, 4-1) first. And that will not be an easy task. Redlands will host the Kingsmen at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ted Runner Stadium in the regular season finale for both teams.
Occidental (8-0, 5-0) is just a win over hapless Whittier (1-7) away from locking up the SCIAC title and automatic bid for the playoffs but Redlands is hoping for an at-large bid. The Division III playoff draw will be announced Sunday. Occidental is ranked second in the West Region and will likely get to host a first round playoff game. If that happens it would make sense from a cost standpoint for the NCAA to give Redlands, ranked sixth in the West, a bid and send it to Occidental.
Redlands moved back in the D3football rankings at No. 25 and is No. 21 according to the American Football Coaches Association.
``Obviously we have to win this game or it doesn't matter,'' Redlands coach Mike Maynard said. ``Assuming we do, I think it's better than 50-50 that we get in. But you never know. The SCIAC hasn't been looked on favorably and that is working against us. If we win this one I think we're worthy.''
Spectators taking in today's contest shouldn't expect a lot of scoring. Redlands ranks second nationally in total defense (214.8) while Cal Lutheran is ranked fourth (236.8). Redlands is first in tackles for loss, fourth against the run and sixth against the pass while Cal Lutheran is first in passing defense, seventh in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss.
Redlands also ranks first in net punting.
Both teams lost to Occidental with Redlands losing 28-15 on Oct. 11 and Cal Lutheran losing 24-21 two weeks ago. The Kingsmen also lost to unbeaten Willamette, ranked first in the region and 10th nationally.
``They're a very good team. We're certainly not taking them lightly,'' Maynard said. ``They have been very solid on defense and they have a quarterback (Jericho Toilolo) that can make things happen with his athletic ability.''
Redlands is coming off a 21-7 nonconference win over Chapman. It only led 14-7 and Chapman was in the red zone late in the fourth when the Bulldogs made a defensive stand. Maynard was pleased to see his team rise to the occasion in a competitive game after three straight blowouts in which his starters were out by halftime.
``They pushed us and we had to respond,'' he said. ``We played well in the first half and the fourth quarter but had to really gut it out.''
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