After taking control of the game, the Wildcats never looked back, convincingly beating Lewis & Clark 49-14.

The Wildcat offense led the way with 436 yards. On the other side of the ball, the Wildcat defense held the Pioneers to 230 yards.

Both offenses got off to a slow start, punting multiple times each. The Wildcats gained possession after Marcus McGovern, ’18, recovered a fumble.

With 7:35 left in the first quarter, Aidan Wilder, ’20, rushed into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown run.

The score at the end of the quarter was 7-0.

With Troy Fowler, ’19, out due to sickness, Wilder was able to get the starting quarterback role and play a majority of the game. He went 13-18 on the day with two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and one interception.

“This was an opportunity I have wanted so badly, and to see it come to fruition was a humbling experience,” Wilder said. “My mindset going into the game was to just do my job and trust the guys around me to get theirs done.”

With 8:51 left in the second quarter, Chidubem Nnoli, ’19, ran for a 13-yard touchdown.

The score was 14-0 in favor of the Wildcats.

Lewis & Clark responded with a drive of their own. A missed kick by the Pioneers’ Obed Eriza was brought back after a roughing the kicker penalty was called on the Wildcats. The result, an automatic first down.

A few moments later, the Pioneers’ Sawyer May connected with Dallas Garreaud for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

The score was now 14-7.

The Wildcats looked to keep the momentum going into halftime. With 16 seconds left in the half, Wilder found Tyler Torgerson, ’20, in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

“Aidan played really well. It was good to see him out there playing the whole game, and to see his skills and have him lead our offense,” Torgerson said. “He had his opportunity and took advantage of it.”

At the end of the half, the Wildcats led 21-7.

The second half got off to a slow start as well. The Wildcats finally got on the board with 5:51 left in the third quarter after Wilder connected with Torgerson again in the corner of the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown pass.

The score was 28-7.

“It was good to give our offense a little spark after not playing well in the first half,” Torgerson said.

The Wildcats opened up the fourth quarter with another rushing touchdown by Nnoli at the 13:44 mark.

The Wildcats padded their lead again, 35-7.

The Pioneers responded with a 25-yard pass of their own when May connected with Gage Bumgardner in the end zone.

35-14 Wildcats.

The Wildcats weren’t done yet. Wyatt Smith, ’21, threw up an 8-yard pass to Kyle Kimball, ‘21, with 1:58 left in the game.

42-14 Wildcats.

After a pass of desperation by the Pioneers, Niles Tuihalangingie, ’20, returned an interception for 56 yards to the Lewis & Clark 20-yard-line.

Three plays later, the Wildcats struck again with 13 seconds left in the game with a 14-yard touchdown run from Mana Kupihea, ’21.

The Pioneers were denied once again in the final possession of the game, and the Wildcats went on to win 49-14.

“The coaches and our team have prepared relentlessly since I have been a part of the program. It is easy to put my trust in the people around me and execute our game plan,” Wilder said.

The Wildcats are now 4-1 and 3-0 in conference-play. Up next is a home game against George Fox at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 21, at Maxwell Field.