Cal Lutheran Opens With a 44-20 Victory

Justin Magruder rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns in 21 carries and Chris Czernek completed 21 of 33 passes for 218 yards to lead Cal Lutheran to a 44-20 upset over Muhlenberg (Penn.) on Saturday in a nonconference game at Cal Lutheran.

Cal Lutheran claimed its first victory over a nationally ranked NCAA Division III opponent. Muhlenberg (1-1) was ranked No. 16 in one preseason poll. It was also the largest margin of victory in a season opener for the Kingsmen since a 31-0 defeat of San Francisco State in 1986.

Magruder scored on runs of two, 11 and two yards. Czernek threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Brian Woodworth to cap a 14-play, 98-yard drive in the first quarter. Magruder’s two-yard run with 35 seconds to play in the first quarter gave the Kingsmen a 14-0 lead.

Cal Lutheran gained 418 yards and held Muhlenberg to 218 yards. Woodworth had seven catches for 92 yards and Eugene Sullivan had seven catches for 66 yards for the Kingsmen.

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Azusa Pacific 31, Pacific Lutheran 27--The Cougars (1-1) held Pacific Lutheran (0-1) to 45 yards in the final three quarters and overcame a 21-0 first-quarter deficit in a nonconference victory at Azusa Pacific.

Shane Minton scored on a six-yard run with 12:25 to play, giving Azusa Pacific its only lead at 30-27. It was the second touchdown of the game for Minton, who had 56 yards rushing in 14 carries. Lathina Tyler had 117 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries for Azusa Pacific.

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Pomona-Pitzer 25, Oberlin (Ohio) 21--Joseph Cappola returned a punt 43 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 1:59 left to play at Oberlin.

Two minutes earlier, Matthew Lacoss scored on a six-yard run that pulled the Sagehens (1-0) to within 21-19. The two-point conversion failed, but Pomona forced Oberlin (0-1) to punt.

Lacoss rushed 18 times for 134 yards and a touchdown.