CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team honored its 21 seniors prior to the game, and one of them, running back Justin Edwards, put his name all over the program's records books as the Stags defeated Cal Lutheran 41-24 on Saturday at Zinda Field. 

CMS improved to 7-2 on the year, reaching the seven win plateau for the fourth year in a row for the first time in program history. The Class of 2025 tied the program record with eight wins last year, and they could match it again with a win next week, which would give it 30 wins in four seasons, with no prior class recording more than 24 in four consecutive years. 

Edwards was honored before the game as one of the members of the senior class and rushed for 324 yards and three touchdowns, breaking the single-game rushing record at CMS by 50, which was set by Garrett Cheadle (274) in 2019 on his senior day.

Edwards also passed the career rushing record, increasing his total to 4106, surpassing the old record of 4044, held by Ryan Gocong (2001-04), and scored three touchdowns to extend his program record in that category to 53 rushing (and 54 total, including one receiving last year.

He also got to share the record with many of his teammates, as the Stags started 10 seniors on offense, including offensive linemen Owen Benjamin, Bryce Mey, Andre Nesbit, and Gavin Smithson, with Kobey Jorgensen throwing lead blocks as well from his tight end spot. Quarterback Walter Kuhlenkamp, and wide receivers Mason Cotton, Daniel Rosenberg and Anderson Cynkar were also among the offensive starters, while Rich Brutto was perfect kicking, making both field goals and all five extra points. 

Defensively, the senior class also was well represented on the field, with Joey Asta recording seven tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Thanio Bright had seven tackles and an interception, Kirby Baynes had six tackles and two pass break-ups, George Skaff had four tackles, Austin Andersen had three, Jacob O'Connell had two, Benjamin Littlefield had two, and Addison Reddinger had one. Caleb Chang and Ryan Enney were out of action with injuries. 

CMS actually trailed 17-7 at the half, before outscoring Cal Lutheran 20-0 in the third quarter, using its Wildcat offense to run Edwards. Cynkar also took an end around and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Roman Ramirez to start the second half scoring, before Brutto tied it with a 45-yard field goal Edwards put CMS ahead to stay with a 12-yard touchdown run with 4:18 left in the third quarter, and Kuhlenkamp capped off the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run to seal it. 

CMS will host Redlands next weekend, trying to reach the eight-win plateau for the second straight season. Kickoff from Zinda Field will be at 1 p.m.