By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ
BAKER CITY — Tugg McQinn ran for five touchdowns and Pendleton won its Greater Oregon League opener with a 57-40 win Thursday, Oct. 3, over Baker.
The Bucks, who trailed 33-28 at the half, had a big second half to secure the win.
“I thought our kids came back strong after the half,” Pendleton coach Erik Davis said. “Offensively, we just continue to move the ball. Tugg is special, and Colson (Primus) manages the game. With Keegan (Kline) and Mason (Strong) being able to stretch the field, and Tugg running the ball, we can be hard to stop. It’s nice to run a balanced offense.”
McQuinn had 25 carries for 224 yards and five touchdowns for the Bucks. His longest score was 60 yards.
Primus completed 13 of 24 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns — both to Kline, who caught six passes for 90 yards. Strong added an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Defensively, Miles Kennedy led Pendleton with nine tackles and five quarterback sacks, while Kline had six tackles. The Bucks also recovered two of their own onside kicks.
“It’s nice to get a win on the road, especially in league play,” Davis said.
Baker not only suffered a loss on the field, but its quarterback Jake McClaughry left the game in the first half with a broken arm. Tucker Reid replaced him and was able to find Rasean Jones for a few touchdowns.
“We are never going to see another player better than Rasean Jones,” Davis said of Baker’s talented receiver. “He is all of D-I. He is a special talent. I think he had five touchdowns.”
Pendleton (4-2 overall, 1-0 GOL) will have a bye next week. The Bucks return to action Oct. 18 at Crook County.
CALDERA FORFEITS TO PENDLETON — Caldera High School has forfeited its two football wins this season after violating the rule that limits players to five quarters of play in a 48-hour period.
The wins that were forfeited were non-league games against Pendleton, 21-20, on Sept. 6, and Lebanon, 35-18, on Sept. 20.
Head coach Mike Mitchell also resigned. Assistant coach Ryan Miller was promoted to interim head coach for the rest of the season.
OSAA also imposed a $500 fine for the violations. Caldera will not contest the sanctions.
With the forfeits, Caldera falls to 0-4.
