Marcus McDuffie
Linebacker Marcus McDuffie (sophomore) picked up his first career sack — one of two on the day — in the Occidental football team’s (5-3 overall; 4-2 SCIAC) 32-12 win over Whittier. McDuffie also recorded six total tackles on the day, playing a key role in the Tigers’ stingy defensive performance.
“[Head] Coach Semones and Coach Landry had a great game plan set up and it worked out [on the field],” McDuffie said via email. “I got my first ever college sack on Saturday and I really accredit it to the defensive backs’ great coverage and the defensive linemen occupying their offensive line.”
Erin Matsumoto
Tiger guard Erin Matsumoto (junior) stood out, logging 18 points, four rebounds and five assists in the Occidental women’s basketball team’s 87-76 overtime loss to Division I UC Irvine in an exhibition match on Nov. 3. Matsumoto also recorded three steals on the day and shot an even .500 from the field — including netting three of four from deep.
“As a team, I felt like we were all motivated to just go out there and do the best that we could,” Matsumoto said via email. “It can be kind of intimidating to think about how good your opponent is, so this past week we had to focus on our own game plan rather than the opposing team. We brought a lot of intensity, fight and mental toughness to the court and I think that’s what really propelled us all to do as well as we did.”
