University wins crazy game against Sandpoint

The beginning of the University-Sandpoint football game in Spokane was every coach’s nightmare. And it went on and on for Bulldogs coach Satini Puailoa and the Titans Rob Bartlett, whose team eked out a 55-48 triumph.

In a bizarre 49-second span, the Idaho school recovered a fumbled kickoff and on the first play from the line of scrimmage, gave it right back. Mason Tate picked up the football on a bounce and legged it 80 yards for the score. Only 20 seconds ran off the clock.

Sandpoint fumbled immediately on its second possession that U-Hi turned into a one-play 21-yard score and it was 13-0 before a minute had elapsed.

By quarter’s end the Titans led 27-7. After Sandpoint cut the deficit in half, a 79-yard kickoff return touchdown by speedster Jordan Moore (he had a return of 60 later that set up another score) helped U-Hi to a 41-point half and three-touchdown lead.

The lead stretched to 55-21 through three quarters, but the seemingly safe five-touchdown cushion melted and the home crowd was on the edge of their seats as the Bulldogs came roaring back to within a TD with 50 seconds remaining. The onside kick that followed was wrapped up by the Titans. Sandpoint had no timeouts left.

“We kept people entertained,” said U-Hi coach Rob Bartlett. “There’s no quit in a Sandpoint team.”

Sandpoint QB Nate Loutzenheiser threw for 237 of his 293 yards in the second half and three fourth-quarter touchdowns. Kyle Perry rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns.

But the early miscues and shoddy defense enabled the Titans to score on virtually every possession.

“Actually I thought we did a lot of things really well for as many young kids we’re playing right now,” Bartlett said. “I was pleased with our offense for the most part.”

U-Hi junior quarterback Logan O’Neil passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in the first quarter.

Moore, just a sophomore, had his big return and Bryce Williamson added two scores, including a 67-yard burst after Sandpoint failed on a fourth-down pass.

Williamson rushed for 178 yards and O’Neil completed 13 of 15 passes for 191 yards, although he had a costly interception that set up Sandpoint’s first fourth-quarter score.

Defense it turned out was at a premium for both teams during this particular meeting.