Homecoming Football Game Fumbles

Reported By: Kate Mack

Photo Credit: Micah Wik

George Fox University’s (GFU) homecoming weekend was filled with celebration, nostalgia, and the hope of a successful Bruin football game. Unfortunately, the game took a turn for the worse in the fourth quarter, with the Bruins losing to the Lewis and Clark Pioneers by six points in overtime.

Ready for the game against the Pioneers, the Bruins walked onto the field to play hard and take home the win. However, locked in a score of 0-0, the first quarter ended with neither team having any points on the board. 

The second quarter began and the GFU football team showed their strength in a 64-yard touchdown, the longest play of the season. The Pioneers were not to be underestimated as they matched the score with a touchdown of their own. Max Richley, a junior at GFU, then scored a 69-yard drive touchdown that pushed the Bruins in the lead with a score of 14-7. The Pioneers reciprocated with a field goal and ended the second quarter with 14-10. 

The Bruins returned in the third quarter with another rushing touchdown by Richley, putting GFU ahead by 11 points. Logan Klopfenstein, a GFU sophomore, scored the next touchdown; this helped GFU gain a 21 point lead against the Pioneers. With the third quarter coming to an end, victory looked sweet for the Bruin football team. 

The fourth quarter took a turn as the Bruins could only push 22-yards on offense. They only gained one first down because of a penalty call. This was the moment the Pioneers needed to take back the game and begin to shorten the 21 point lead. Pioneer quarterback Trey Morris threw two touchdown passes, and the Bruin offense was not able to keep up. With the score at 28-25, the Bruins’ lead was nearly gone. The Pioneers locked the score and forced the first third overtime in Bruin football history. 

As overtime began, each team traded field goals. This caused the game to go into double overtime. Locked in the second overtime, the game was tense. Quarterback Richley was able to throw a first down to Thomas McMillan on 3rd and 10. However, when Richley’s pass was intercepted by Pioneers’ Daryl Scott, the game turned against the Bruins. Lewis and Clark took the opportunity to score a 25-yard touchdown, destroying any hope of a Bruin victory. The Bruins walked away with a score of 37-31, and their third loss of the season.