15th September 2004 Menlo College Oaks 48-7 GB Bulldogs In an exhibition matchup that featured the first ever game against the Great Britain Bulldogs, the Oaks put on an offensive clinic as they defeated the Bulldogs 48-7 today. The “good will” matchup between the two teams, which took over a year of planning, was dominated from start to finish by the host Oaks. Sophomore Eddie Conner, who ran for a game high 71 yards on just seven carries, began the scoring with an 18-yard run with 12:15 showing to put his team up 6-0. Great Britain had difficulty moving the ball against an obviously tougher Menlo defense but did get a pickup on Menlo’s second possession, as Great Britain defensive back Brendan Cunnane forced a fumble that give the Bulldogs control deep in their own territory. The gift Menlo had bestowed on their guests was quickly returned, and in dramatic fashion, as lineman Alexander Ogle made an athletic one handed interception on a quick slant from Bulldogs quarterback Ted Baynham and promptly returned it 35 yards for the second Oaks score on the day. A.J. Tevis and Eddie Eyo added first and second quarter touchdowns to run the score to 27-0 Menlo before Galen Perry provided excitement for the relatively thin crowd at Conner Athletic Field. After the Menlo defense held their counterparts at bay for just four plays, Perry found a wall on a punt return and raced down the Menlo side line 72 yards to up the scoreboard lead to 34-0. It was at that point that the game slowed to a snails pace, as Menlo did not pass the entire second half, choosing instead to showcase a ground attack featuring many new faces. Ricky Beltran capped off a 7 play, 54-yard drive with a five yard run for the final Oaks score of the afternoon. And while they may have seemed a bit overwhelmed by the Oaks, Great Britain did engineer an impressive drive that did not look very promising at the outset. Beginning at their own 20, the Bulldogs marched eighty yards while chewing up just a touch under seven minutes for their lone score of the game. Running back Ric Hennessey had a key third down run for eleven yards before Michael Paling punched the ball in from one yard out. Due to the fact that today’s contest comes against a non NCAA or NAIA opponent, official game statistics will not be reported or used for cumulative totals at the end of the season. Menlo College takes their 0-1 record to Salem, Oregon next Saturday, as they take on the Bearcats of Willamette University at 1:00 pm.