Cal Lutheran Has the Tonic for Claremont-Mudd’s Ills

Scott Hainlen kicked a 34-yard field goal with six seconds remaining to lift Claremont-Mudd to a 31-28 victory over Cal Lutheran on Saturday night in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game at Claremont-Mudd.

Hainlen’s kick, which was set up by a pass interference call against Cal Lutheran, enabled Claremont-Mudd (1-4, 1-2 in the SCIAC) to snap a 16-game losing streak of almost two years in duration.

Cal Lutheran (3-3, 0-2) has been relying on its defense all season.

But the Kingsmen couldn’t stop Claremont-Mudd quarterback Bryan Banta, who completed 10 of 15 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown.

Ryan Mele scored three touchdowns for the Stags and he rushed for 60 yards in 17 carries. Claremont-Mudd gained 104 yards rushing.

Cal Lutheran’s ground game had no trouble chewing up yardage, either.

Fredrik Nanhed rushed for 110 yards in 20 carries, including a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Dorian Stitt rushed for 91 yards in 19 carries, including scoring runs of 22 and two yards in the first half.

Cal Lutheran trailed, 28-21, when quarterback Zack Hernandez connected with Paul Sanford, a freshman from Newbury Park High, on a nine-yard scoring pass play.

Ryan Geisler’s conversion kick tied the score, 28-28, with 3:25 left.

Hernandez, who split time with Nick Odenath, completed only two of eight passes for 21 yards. Odenath connected on four of 10 for 78 yards.

The game featured five lead changes and four ties. The 31 points is the most Cal Lutheran has allowed this season.

Claremont-Mudd’s last previous victory was a 43-13 decision over Whittier on Oct. 19, 1996.