Occidental Lights Up Scoreboard in 70-16 Victory Over Pomona

Tailback Kevin Vegas, who is usually used in a reserve capacity, rushed for 187 yards in 19 carries and scored 4 touchdowns as Occidental thrashed Pomona-Pitzer, 70-16, Saturday night in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game at Patterson Field.

“That’s the way every game should be,” Vegas said.

As the game clock wound down, a group of Pomona-Pitzer fans mockingly chanted, “Score more, beat the spread!”

And the Tigers did just that, although school official Frances Hill said the 70 points was not a school record.

Occidental is 4-1 overall, 4-0 in conference play. Pomona is 1-4, 0-2.

Occidental’s offensive line thoroughly dominated the Sagehens’ defensive front, allowing Tiger runners to slash through effortlessly.

Three Occidental ballcarriers--Byron Neuhoff, Vegas and George Conahey--gained more than 100 yards.

“It says more about our offensive line than our backs,” Occidental Coach Dale Widolff said. “We’ve never played that well offensively. They’re ticked at me for running up the score but we didn’t pass once in the second half.”

Occidental did do damage with the passing game in the first half, however.

Quarterback Tony Werbelow completed 5 of 5 passes for 58 yards, including two 13-yard touchdowns to receiver Rick Freeman.

Occidental’s defense, which initially looked baffled by the Pomona wishbone offense, was unable to contain the Sagehens’ ground game on the game’s opening drive.

And Pomona actually scored first. Quarterback Gregg Silver scored from 1 yard with 7:59 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 13-play, 70-yard drive.

Kosh Herman added the PAT to make it 7-0.

The Tigers gave the ball to Vegas, who gained 17 and 19 yards in his first 2 carries.

On his next run, he tied the score with a romp down the left sideline from 23 yards.

Occidental outgained Pomona, 527-343. A bright spot for Pomona was receiver Dan Daley, who caught 17 passes for 151 yards.