BOX SCORE

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Lewis & Clark football team opened the 2012 season with a 27-24 road win over the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

The Pioneers quickly put Claremont in a hole in the first quarter, starting off with a 36-yard field goal by junior Simon Monley on the first drive of the game.

Lewis & Clark's defense held strong in the quarter, forcing the Mudd-Scripps to punt on back-to-back possession after just four plays on each drive. With 6:19 to go in the quarter the Pioneers took over on their own 46 and began slowly forcing their way down the field.

It took just two minutes for the Pioneers to find the end zone with junior Keith Welch picking out sophomore Connor Imel for a five-yard touchdown reception. Monley followed things up with a successful point after to put L&C ahead 10-0.

With seconds remaining in the quarter and facing fourth down, the Mudd-Scripps managed to put the ball through the uprights from the L&C 22-yard line for their first score of the contest.

Monley had a chance to earn the three points back for the Pios in first drive of the second quarter, but missed his 34-yard field goal attempt wide left.

Andrew Traver came up big for the Pioneers on Claremont's first drive of the quarter, forcing a fumble by the Claremont quarterback on the Pioneers 21-yard line. Senior Evy VandenEkart came up with the fumble recovery on the Pioneers own 19-yard line.

Eight plays and 81 yards later Lewis & Clark put seven more points on the board. Darrell Nelson was the one to put the ball in the end zone, taking a Welch pass 17-yards for his first career score, putting the Pios up 17-3.

The Pioneer defense did their part following the Nelson touchdown, holding the Mudd-Scripps in their own half of the field on their next possession.

Monley tried to add three more points to the Pioneers lead with seconds remaining until halftime, but once again missed just left.  

Claremont began the second half with the ball on its own 35-yard line and slowly inched down the field. Down on the Pioneers 26-yard line the Mudd-Scripp quarterback tried to carry the ball but was hit for a loss of nine-yards before fumbling the ball. The fumble was recovered by senior Chuck Krause who returned the ball for a 60-yard touchdown.

The Mudd-Scripps redeemed themselves on the next drive with a three play scoring drive to cut the Pioneer lead to 24-10.

Following the Claremont scoring drive the Pio defense buckled down holding the Mudd-Scripps to two consecutive four play drives, each featuring a sack of the quarterback. Jon Bielawicz picked up the first sack, while Traver and Lincoln Boyd both hit the quarterback for a 10-yard loss to force a punt.

A 32-yard field goal from Monley started the scoring in the fourth quarter, putting L&C ahead 27-10. Claremont countered on their first possession of the quarter with a quarterback keep on fourth and goal, cutting the lead to 27-17.

Things began to go wrong for the Pioneer offense who could not manage to make it out of their own half of the field throughout the remainder of the game.

The Mudd-Scripps pulled within three points on quick four play score with 4:43 to play. With 1:49 remaining, Claremont took over on its own 23-yard line and attempted to move into Pioneer territory. The Pioneer defense did not allow it, breaking up three consecutive passing plays, giving the ball back to the offense.

Welch would take a knee in the final minute to assure the Pioneers 27-24 win.

Curtis Shirey was the Pioneers leading rusher with 63-yards on 21 carries, while Welch finished with 48-yards on 12 carries.

Welch ended the contest 23-30 passing for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Evan Stanbro finished with 93 yards receiving on six catches.

Defensively, Traver ended the day with nine tackles while contributing to a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Clay Israelson had eight tackles for L&C and two breakups. Senior Joe Kopp picked up four tackles, as well as an interception.

The Pioneers come home for their next contest, hosting Pomona-Pitzer at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 for their home opener.