George Fox First Football Game in 46 Years Ends with Heartbreaking Loss
The Bruins opened the game on defense and shut down the Firestorm in the opening drive after Adrian Bonner intercepted a pass and put GFU in great field position.
(NEWBERG, Ore.) — In its first game in over 46 years, George Fox University hosted NAIA member Arizona Christian University in record heat and a crowd of 3,659 excited fans at the newly built Stoffer Family Stadium.
The Firestorm entered the game with a 0-2 record after opening the season with a 40-16 loss to Evangel and a 28-21 loss to Wayland Baptist last week.
The Bruins opened the game on defense and shut down the Firestorm in the opening drive after Adrian Bonner intercepted a pass and put GFU in great field position. Grant Schroeder led the attack for the Bruins on offense and recorded the first George Fox touchdown of the year after a nice 16 yard run.
Both teams' kickers would be the only players to score the rest of the first quarter, as the Bruins took a 9-3 lead going into the second quarter.
ACU outscored the Bruins 14-9 in the second quarter, but the Bruins led 18-17 going into halftime.
The second half was a battle of possession as each team looked hungry to score. The Firestorm opened up the third quarter with an early field goal, and finished it off with a touchdown four minutes later. The Bruins got within striking distance late in the third quarter, but a costly fumble would give the Firestorm the ball back.
After another field goal the Firestorm jumped out to a 30-18 lead that forced the Bruins to spark a rally. It started with the defense as the Bruins pinned the Firestorm inside the two yard line and Tanner Krahel forced a safety. With time winding down and the fourth quarter coming to a close, Schroeder found Derek Richwine in the back of the end zone to get the Bruins within three, 30-27.
The Firestorm held on in the end after completing a fourth down play to let the clock run out and secure the victory.
John Shaffer led the Bruins with the ground attack rushing for 86 yards on 23 attempts. Schroeder finished the game going 20-for-37 with 301 yards and two touchdowns. Brad Lander led the receiving core with six catches and 119 yards. Bonner and Spencer Price both finished the game with nine tackles.
George Fox looks to bounce back next week when they host the University of La Verne on Sept. 13 at 7:00 p.m. for the first home night game in school history.
Source: George Fox Athletics
