NEWBERG, Ore. — The Bruins jumped to an early lead in Saturday’s Homecoming matchup against Linfield University Wildcats before falling 35-17 at Stoffer Family Stadium on Oct. 4.
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The Bruins came out fast, capitalizing on big plays to seize early momentum. Running back William Moffitt put George Fox on the board first, blocking Linfield’s opening punt and recovering it in the end zone for a touchdown. Just minutes later, quarterback JJ Leman connected with Taylor Saben on a 53-yard wheel route, giving Fox a 14-0 lead—its largest lead over Linfield since GFU football’s 2014 return.
The Wildcats, ranked among the top programs in Division III football, regrouped quickly. Linfield quarterback Luke McNabb led two second-quarter touchdown drives to even the score before halftime. A costly Bruin turnover early in the third quarter helped Linfield take its first lead of the game, and they never looked back.
The Bruins’ kicker Ben Rembisz hit a career-long 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. However, Linfield immediately responded with a 94-yard kickoff return to seal the win.
Bruins head coach Spencer Crace said he was proud of the team’s grit despite the result.
“That game came down to field position and we didn’t play disciplined enough to win,” Crace said. “You can’t give a team like Linfield a short field. We gave them too many opportunities inside our territory, and that was the biggest difference.”
The Bruins, now 0-4 overall and 0-1 in Northwest Conference play, will look to rebound on the road next week against Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
GFU Athletics Antonio Arredondo contributed to reporting for this story.
