Author: Spencer Donaldson
Hope is one of the most important aspects of winning any competition; it is the newly discovered motivation that has awakened the previously dormant Occidental College football team this season under a new regime.
This newfound hope may have inspired the early scoring for the Tigers in their season debut against the Pacific University Boxers in Forest Grove, Ore. New head coach Doug Semones’ quick ball hawking defensive scheme might have contributed as well to their strong start to the season.
The Tigers forced turnovers on defense while quarterback Tommy Edwards (senior) and his receivers clicked on offense, resulting in a 17-7 lead after the first quarter of play.
Two minutes into the game, defensive back Teran Mahwhinney (junior) intercepted a pass from Pacific quarterback P.J. Minaya (senior) and returned it 27 yards to the Boxer eight-yard line.
Kicker Marc Kuzbari (senior) knocked in a 27-yard field goal to take advantage of the turnover.
On Pacific’s next drive, defensive tackle Dallas Gosselin (junior) intercepted a tipped ball deep in Boxer territory. According to him, it was no mistake he secured the pick.
“All the linemen do a punting and catching competition,” Gosselin said. “So it was kind of fun watching people trip over themselves.”
The Tigers were then able to turn Gosselin’s effort into seven points as Edwards connected with wide receiver Cordell Harris (first-year) for his first collegiate reception and touchdown on the subsequent drive.
And just like that, the Tigers were up 10-0 after 3:30 of play.
But the Boxers refused to be silenced on their home turf.
On Pacific’s next drive, junior wideouts Blake Anthony and Jakob Lawrence led the way with 29 and 21 yard receptions, respectively, the Lawrence reception resulting in a touchdown. And then, on the Boxers’ first possession of the second quarter, wide receiver Jordan Fukumoto (junior) scored on a 74-yard touchdown pass, cutting Occidental’s lead to three.
By halftime, the score was 31-23 in favor of Pacific and, though the game was still within reach for the black and orange, the momentum had changed dramatically.
After being shut out in the third quarter, the Tigers scored first in what would go on to be a deflating fourth quarter. Sophomore running back Kwame Do capped off a seven play, 44-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to make the score 38-30. Do rushed for 87 yards on 13 carries in the contest.
And then the tides turned in the Boxers’ favor for good.
Pacific outscored Occidental 29-7 in the final quarter to earn a 67-30 win, its second consecutive victory over the Tigers.
Despite the loss, Edwards and company showed several signs of good things to come in the 2013 season. The veteran signal caller picked up where he left off last year, completing 34 passes for 295 yards.
His main target, Sam Stekol (junior) led Occidental’s receiving core with seven receptions for 69 yards. Sophomore Devin Bullock and Harris impressed as well, accumulating 60 and 49 yards, respectively. Harris added a kickoff return for 49 yards on special teams.
Defensively, linebacker Ross Fiegener (junior) led the charge with 11 total tackles and recorded Occidental’s only sack.
Though Semones’ first Tiger victory was put on hold, the defensive guru said that he remains positive about the season ahead. The Tigers have not had a winning record since 2009, but Semones and his staff plan to put an end to that streak.
“Winning is the tradition I want to bring back, Semones said. “They’ve had a tradition of winning here, so I want to build that.”
Semones spent time as the defensive and special teams coordinator for the Hawaii Islanders of the Arena Football League and three seasons at Yale (2009-11) coaching linebackers and defensive linemen. He has put a unique defensive system in place that is expected provide plenty of action for Occidental football fans.
“I think the kids have bought into the system,” Semones said. “We’re running to the football hard on defense. We’re going to swarm the ball, and we’re always trying to create turnovers.”
On offense, the Tigers look to utilize Edwards’ ability to air it out. The Second Team All-SCIAC selection last year became just the second Occidental quarterback to throw for over 2,900 yards in a single season.
Semones has entrusted Edwards with the helm of the black and orange’s pass-heavy offense. The coach spoke confidently about Edwards’ abilities, complimenting his experience, his football IQ and throwing prowess.
With the keys to the high octane machine that is the Tiger offense, Edwards is regarded as the undisputed leader of a tight-knit squad unified around Semones’ upbeat attitude and expectations of winning
“[Edwards] believes in us. He trusts us. By his confidence, we have confidence,” backup quarterback Tom Stivers (junior) said.
The Tigers host Austin College in their home opener on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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