Bulldogs Bring the Heat: Redlands Pulls Away for 44–9 Win Over APU

GLENDORA, Calif. — The temperature at kickoff was 97 degrees, and Redlands eventually supplied plenty of heat of its own. After a closely contested opening quarter, the Bulldogs scored three second-quarter touchdowns and steadily pulled away for a 44–9 victory over Azusa Pacific on Saturday at Citrus College.

A crowd of 1,085 braved the sweltering conditions, giving the Cougars a lively backdrop as their restored football program continued its return. While the scoreboard offered APU fans little to celebrate after the early going, the atmosphere still reflected the excitement of having football back.

Redlands led just 3–0 after the first quarter on Dominic Ozeta’s 29-yard field goal. APU answered early in the second with Tyler Nolan’s 24-yard field goal, tying the game and briefly keeping the matchup on even terms. Then the Bulldogs found their separation.

Senior quarterback Tobey Schmidt connected with Carter Leibham for a 34-yard touchdown with 8:47 remaining in the half. Schmidt followed with a 2-yard scoring pass to Roshawn Lacy before adding a 10-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds left, sending Redlands into halftime ahead 24–3. Schmidt finished 10 of 16 passing for 146 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, adding 19 rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries. Keenan Jackson completed both of his passes for another 38 yards, bringing the Bulldogs’ team passing total to 184.

The ground game provided another major advantage. Sophomore Mark Mitchell III led Redlands with 76 yards on 21 carries, while junior Taylor Bowie delivered 75 yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.Bowie scored on a pair of 2-yard runs in the third quarter, extending the lead to 37–3. Jakai Torres added an 18-yard touchdown run early in the fourth to complete the Bulldogs’ scoring.

The statistical gap underscored Redlands’ control. The Bulldogs rushed for 243 yards to APU’s 37 and finished with 427 total yards compared with the Cougars’ 143. Redlands averaged 6.7 yards per play, while its defense recorded four sacks and held APU to 1.1 yards per rushing attempt.

For the Cougars, quarterback Laki Wallwork completed 9 of 15 passes for 106 yards without an interception. He also scored APU’s only touchdown on a 13-yard run with 4:33 remaining. Victor Rodriguez led the Cougars’ receivers with four catches for 40 yards.

Saturday’s result leaves the Cougars 1–2 through their first three games of the season.

For Redlands, it was a convincing game built on balanced offense and defensive pressure. For APU, it was a difficult result in front of fans who nevertheless seemed to enjoy the gathering, the atmosphere and the return of a fall football tradition—even with the thermometer showing little mercy.

The Bulldogs next take on Chapman University, while the Cougars face Cal Lutheran. Both games are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m.