Fieber, Bruce begin season with SCIAC weekly honor

ORANGE, Calif. - Seniors Ian Fieber and Ben Bruce began the 2018 season with some big plays and were recognized as the SCIAC Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively. The pair helped the Panthers to a 36-6 win over Pacific.

Fieber made an impressive Panther debut with five touchdowns and 351 yards passing to guide the offense to big win. The senior from Mission Viejo, Calif. was 21-for-29 in the game but completed all nine of his passes in the second half with a pair of TDs. All of his touchdown passes were for 19 yards or over. He completed passes to seven different wide receivers but he found senior Dominic Vaccher and junior Trevor Vill eight times each with both hauling in over 100 yards of receiving.

The first SCIAC Special Teams Player of the Week in SCIAC history went to Bruce, who was a nuisance to Pacific's punt team all night long. Bruce nearly blocked an early punt, forcing a short, wobbly punt as the punter rushed to get it off. Later in the game, a bad snap gave Bruce just enough time to come streaking in off the edge and bring down the punter in the end zone for a safety.

After a big opening night win, the Panthers go on a bye week but return to the field with a trip to Spokane, Wash. to take on Whitworth on Sep. 15.