CLU FOOTBALL: TAKING STOCK OF YEAR : KINGSMEN (3-3) SEE GOOD, BAD.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

With a bye week, it's the perfect time to take stock and make an assessment of the Kingsmen's football season thus far.

Through six games, with three to go, Cal Lutheran is 3-3, but 0-2 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The team has impressive victories, but there have been some maddening defeats, too.

There was the double-overtime heartbreaker at Pacific Lutheran in the second week, when the Kingsmen could have put the game away in regulation if any one of seven field-goal attempts would have been converted.

In week 3, the inability of the offense to sustain any second-half drives left the team with a 16-13 loss at Whittier and then there was Saturday's downer at Claremont-Mudd.

The Kingsmen, through their own failings, became the Stags' first victim in two years and 16 games.

Cal Lutheran was clearly superior to Claremont, but the Kingsmen let them hang around too long and got burned in the end when Scott Hainlen converted a 34-yard field goal with 6 seconds left.

``We just did not get it done,'' coach Scott Squires said. ``On either side of the ball. We made mistakes on special teams, too.''

The three defeats all of which could have been victories are offset by the Kingsmen's three victories.

There was the razor-close 24-21 victory over Menlo in the opener and the then defensive minded triumphs over San Diego (26-13) and Chapman (10-6).

``When you look at how we've been defeated,'' Squires said. ``The only team you can blame is us. We've been beating ourselves.''

After six weeks that shouldn't be happening and with the bye you can bet fundamentals and special teams play are a primary focus.

If they cut down on errors and breakdowns on special teams, there's still time for the Kingsmen to turn it around in the SCIAC. They'll need some help to earn a conference tie, but if they fail in any of their last three games it will be a moot point.

The final three games are against Occidental (Oct. 31), La Verne (Nov. 7) and at Redlands (Nov. 14). All three are teams the Kingsmen have traditionally handled, then again they owned a 23-3-1 lifetime record against Claremont before Saturday.

CLU MIDWAY REPORT

QUARTERBACK

B

Zack Hernandez and Nick Odenath have been serviceable. Both have struggled, but not at the same time. Odenath is quicker and a better runner, Hernandez the better passer.

RUNNING BACK

B+

The combination of Fredrik Nanhed and Dorian Stitt has been impressive. Nanhed had 108 yards against Claremont-Mudd and Stitt had 94. Stitt is the shifty one, Nanhed has the power.

RECEIVERS

B-

When Tim Kirksey couldn't come back this looked like a potential problem area. But youngsters Josh Salic, Jason Fowle and Paul Sanford have proved to be sure-handed targets.

OFFENSIVE LINE

C+

Has allowed unnecessary harassment of Odenath and Hernandez, but has helped open holes for Nanhed and Stitt. A work in progress that improves each week.

DEFENSIVE LINE

A-

A team strength. Peter Karyd and Daniel Marino have been especially impressive. The sack numbers might not be there, but the unit has plenty of hurries and tipped passes.

LINEBACKERS

A

The strength of an all-around strong defense. Tony Garcia, Ryan Cooper and Jake Halas are in on seemingly every tackle. All are quick, strong and sure tacklers.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

A-

Another solid unit that gave up too many yards against Claremont-Mudd, but aside from that has sparkled. Anthony Sullivan and Sean McGaughey have a nose for the football.

SPECIAL TEAMS

C

A unit that can be upgraded. The Kingsmen allow way too may yards on kickoff and punt returns. Kicker Ryan Geisler is over his early slump and punter Mark Kevern has been excellent.

COACHING

B+

You can't teach experience. Where the Kingsmen have it, they excel, where they don't, they struggle. You can't blame the guys in the headsets for that.

- Jim Inghram

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX;; CLU MIDWAY REPORT (See text)