Lake Forest Unable to Keep Up at Chicago

Photo by Matthew McClure, d3photography.com
Photo by Matthew McClure, d3photography.com

Senior Michael Bounds made a career-long 39-yard field goal and average more than 40 yards per punt on Saturday but the Foresters were defeated 27-10 at the University of Chicago.

Bounds' field goal gave the visitors a 10-0 lead with three-and-a-half minutes to play in the opening period.

The first score of the contest was a 20-yard run to the end zone by Lake Forest senior quarterback Bill Degnan. His first career rushing touchdown capped off a 9-play, 63-yard drive on the Foresters' first possession of the day.

Degnan connected on a 9-yard pass on 4th-and-3 from the Chicago 31 the next time the Foresters had the ball. The drive stalled there, setting up the 39-yard field goal from bounds.

The Maroons then took over the game, shutting down the Lake Forest offense while reaching the end zone on each of their next four drives – two in the second quarter and two in the third. Neither team scored in the final period.

Bounds put three of his four punts inside the Maroons' 20-yardline and the home team's average starting field position following kickoffs and punts on the day was its own 24.

Degnan was Lake Forest's leading rusher in the game with 56 yards while junior Alex Adams and freshman Stone Matthews were next with 52 and 48, respectively. Three Forester receivers shared team-high honors with three catches apiece with freshman A.J. Jackson leading the way with 45 receiving yards.

Senior linebacker Johnny Laponte led Lake Forest with a career-high 14 tackles while senior defensive end Jordan McInerney matched his personal best with 13, including the visitors' only sack of the contest. Freshman defensive back Danny Baker accounted for the Foresters' only turnover and returned his first career interception 19 yards late in the third quarter.

Lake Forest is now 2-1 and Chicago 1-2 on the season.

The Foresters will play their Homecoming game against Knox College next Saturday at 2:00 p.m.