CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps football team held an 11-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Pomona-Pitzer scored two straight touchdowns and held on for a 25-17 win over the Stags on Saturday evening at Merritt Field. 

With the loss, CMS slips to 2-1 on the season, while Pomona-Pitzer improves to 2-1. The loss was the first for the Stags to a team other than Chapman since the 2022 campaign. 

Robert Litscher threw for 238 yards for the Stags, including a 28-yard touchdown pass to James Ryan with 1:48 to go that gave the Stags a chance at a late comeback. CMS nearly recovered the ensuing onside kick, but it went out of bounds and the Sagehens were able to run out the clock. 

Samuel Brewer gave CMS the lead with his third field goal from 25 yards out with 1:03 left in the third, making the score 11-10. The Stags opened the second half with a safety to close a 10-6 halftime lead to 10-8, forcing a three-and-out, and getting two points when the snap on the Sagehen punt got away into the end zone.

Chase Cioe then had a big interception and 35-yard return to bring the ball all the way back to the Pomona-Pitzer 14 with 2:20 left in the third, setting up the go-ahead field goal. 

Pomona-Pitzer converted on two third-and-long plays on its next drive, and a pass interference call took them out of a 2nd-and-19 situation following a Michael Houk sack. Luke Levitt then plunged in from one yard out, and the ensuing two-point conversion made it 18-11. Jacon Whiting then had a 39-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 8:53 to go to make it 25-11 and give the Sagehens the cushion they needed late. 

George Kruger led CMS with 11 solo tackles, including a sack. Houk had five tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and two quarterback hurries. 

CMS will be back in action next Saturday when it travels to Cal Lutheran for a 7 p.m. contest.