CLU looks to sustain its momentum

When/Where: Today, 1 p.m., William Rolland Stadium.

Last Year: CLU def. Whittier 30-3.

Series History: CLU leads 21-4.

Game Facts: Whittier QB Chris Lopez is 65 of 115 for 809 yards and four touchdowns. Whittier's defense is ranked last in the SCIAC. The Poets are allowing 500.7 yards per game. CLU is leading the conference in total offense at 442.7 yards per game. CLU QB Jake Laudenslayer was named SCIAC Male Athlete of the Week for his performance in CLU's victory over Redlands. Laudenslayer has completed 57 of 95 passes for 804 yards and four touchdowns. WR Eric Rogers is averaging a SCIAC-leading 98.3 yards per game. CLU remains troubled by penalties. The Kingsmen are losing 107.3 yards per game from flags being thrown. CLU has won 15 straight conference games.

The amazing comeback. The thrilling victory. The exciting aftermath.

It will be nothing more than just a great memory if the Cal Lutheran football team doesn't sustain the momentum.

The Kingsmen staged a remarkable rally to beat rival Redlands 28-24 last Saturday in the debut of William Rolland Stadium.

The victory put No. 13 CLU (2-1, 1-0) in the driver's seat to claim its third straight Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.

But the Kingsmen must come down from their emotional high to resume the remainder of their schedule, starting today against visiting Whittier (1-2, 0-1) at 1 p.m.

"We have just decided as a team not to let the Redlands win get us bigheaded. We have an opportunity to do more things, and we don't want to be lackadaisical in our approach," CLU senior Deme'Trek Chambers said. "This won't mean nothing if we don't go and finish strong like we are supposed to. We have the talent on our team and we need to show it and keep fighting through."

CLU's goal is to play as well for an entire game as it has done in the second halves against Redlands and Pacific Lutheran.

Being able to rebound from sluggish starts is not something CLU head coach Ben McEnroe wants his team to be known for.

"We can't be successful putting ourselves in those types of holes or shooting ourselves in the foot all the time," McEnroe said. "We have enough veteran players to know where we need to be and the level we expect to play at. Now, it's just a matter of holding each other accountable and performing at that level consistently."

Cal Lutheran's offense has a chance to shine against Whittier's defense, which is allowing a SCIAC-worst 500.7 yards per game.

Whittier's offense could present some challenges for CLU's defense. The Poets are averaging 424 yards per game, including a SCIAC-leading 311.3 through the air.

"Skillwise their players are faster than anybody we have seen, so they have the ability to take a little short gain and hit a home run," McEnroe said. "They throw a lot of deep balls and they have a very explosive player in Kimble Tillman. We have to be very aware of him and sound in our assignments and our schemes."

After allowing his players to celebrate their win over Redlands, McEnroe isn't worried about how they will respond against the Poets.

"We are not playing well enough to get complacent about anything," McEnroe said. "It is our job to remind them there is still plenty of things we really need to improve on."