CLU OPTIMISTIC AFTER FIRST WIN.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

A 36-point victory for its first win of the season boosted the Cal Lutheran football team's confidence. Reviewing history reinforced that confidence.

With a 1-3 record, the Kingsmen would appear to be the underdogs when they host 4-1 Claremont-Mudd today at 1 p.m., but last week's win in the conference opener - and being reminded that CLU's last conference title came after a disappointing nonconference showing - has the Kingsmen thinking otherwise. Being on the losing end of one of the Stags' only two wins last season, even though CLU finished the season above .500, is another reason to believe records aren't always accurate indicators of what can happen.

``We might not have all the best athletes, but as a team they can be one of the best,'' Kingsmen coach Scott Squires said, using the analogy of pencils, which are easily broken individually, but difficult to break when put together.

As confident as CLU is, it realizes the task ahead is not an easy one. Claremont-Mudd's lone loss came by three points to undefeated Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leader La Verne by three points. The Stags have not started this well since 1986, when they finished 8-1.

``The win does a whole lot for your confidence,'' Squires said, ``but that's one thing I'm sure they've got a lot of, too. I've been around here a long time as an assistant coach and head coach and I couldn't tell you when the last time Claremont was 4-1. They've gotta be feeling pretty good about themselves.''

And for good reason.

The Stags have outscored the opposition 158-94, have a quarterback (Bryan Banta) who has thrown for 926 yards and 12 touchdowns without an interception, and have a player (Ryan Mele) who is ranked sixth in the SCIAC in rushing average despite being a receiver. Senior running back Steve Grove leads the conference in kickoff returns and wide receivers Josh Walter and Joel Weiss account for a combined 62 points. The Stags are ranked second in the SCIAC in total defense, giving up an average of 304.4 yards a game.

The Kingsmen counter with an offense that showed it can be equally wide spread when five different players scored touchdowns in last week's 48-12 win against Whittier.

Sophomore transfer Chris Czernek is settling in at quarterback and learning Geno Sullivan is a reliable receiver. Czernek connected with Sullivan for two touchdowns and completed 14 of 20 passes for 207 yards last week. It was the first game Czernek was not intercepted. The usually balanced mix of passing and running could weigh more heavily toward passing when tailbacks George Keiaho and Dorian Stitt face the SCIAC's second-best rush defense.

``We have to play well,'' Squires said. ``There's some tough teams ahead of us and Claremont's the first one.''

CLAREMONT (4-1, 1-1) at CAL LUTHERAN (1-3, 1-0)

When: 1 p.m.

Claremont update: The Stags are the surprise of the SCIAC a year after winning just two games. A 31-28 loss to current conference leader La Verne is the only defeat during Claremont's best start since 1986 when the Stags finished 8-1. Claremont beat Lewis & Clark 41-10 last week with an attack that is effective on the ground and in the air.

Cal Lutheran update: The Kingsmen try to remain undefeated in conference as they host their homecoming game a week after beating Whittier 48-12. CLU is back at full strength after earning its first win last week despite missing nine players - seven starters - because of a one-game suspension for violating team rules during the trip to Whitworth.

Outlook: CLU has a much tougher task ahead of it than last week, but a tough nonconference schedule gave the Kingsmen a taste of what to expect. CLU leads the all-time series 23-4-1 after the Stags pulled off a 31-28 upset last season.

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Box: Claremont at Cal Lutheran (see text)