Saddleback provides the buzz-kill for Fullerton

The Saddleback football team defeated Fullerton College, 33-31, on Saturday afternoon in Fullerton.  It was the first win against the Hornets since 2016.

Saddleback entered the game looking to end a five-game losing streak against Fullerton.  The last time Saddleback defeated the Hornets was in 2016 when Nick Robinson hit Deondre Moore for a 16-yard touchdown with 38 seconds remaining for a 30-27 win.

Saturday's game had a little different feeling as Saddleback led for most of the contest while it was Fullerton trying to make a heroic comeback.  The Bobcats were having nothing to do with it, getting a turnover in the final minutes when Joseph Chavez stepped in front of a Fullerton pass and intercepted it to end the comeback bid.

Saddleback jumped out quickly, taking a 24-7 lead before Fullerton staged a comeback.  Trey Kukuk hit Dane Benedix on a 56-yard scoring play to open the scoring at 10:35 of the first quarter.  The Bobcats then stepped in front of a Hornet punt as Dominic Lopez got his hands on the ball and the Bobcats recovered the ball at the Fullerton 17 yard-line.  Two plays later, Darrien Campbell plowed over from one yard out and the Bobcats led 14-0.

Fullerton broke through after a big kickoff return and closed within seven points on the next drive.  The Bobcats again responded with a big drive, going 91 yards on five plays with Campbell scoring his second touchdown of the day on a two-yard plunge.

Saddleback's offense went quiet the rest of the half as Fullerton tied the game in the second quarter thanks to a couple of untimely turnovers by the Bobcats.  The final tally came when Tobie Schmidt found Myles Brown, who turned a short gain into a 32-yard score to even the score at 24-24 with 1:25 left on the clock.

Saddleback's defense created a turnover to start the second half when Ryan Bethke recovered a fumble on the opening drive at the Hornet 8-yard-line.  The Bobcats cashed in with a 26-yard field goal from Sean Olvera-Harle to take a lead they would never relinquish. 

Saddleback used the big play as motivation, taking control of the game.  The Bobcats scored on the next drive when Kukuk found Andrez Lewis (pictured) for a 24-yard score as the lead increased to 33-24. 

Fullerton finally got back on track late in the fourth quarter when closing within two points on a 1-yard score from Justin Honore with 2:36 remaining.  On the ensuing drive the Bobcats tried to run out the clock, but were stopped a yard short of a first down and forced to punt with just under two minutes remaining.  Fullerton took over on its own 35 yard-line, but on its third play from scrimmage backed themselves into a corner when Owen Burnside sacked Schmidt to set up a fourth and 18 from their own 26 yard-line.  Schmidt then threw a ball in desperation on the fourth down play, which was picked off by Chavez to end the rally.

Saddleback finished with a 410-218 advantage in total yardage for the game.  Kukuk finished with 374 yards passing and two touchdown passes, completing 21-of-29 attempts.  Three different receivers finished over 100 yards receiving in Lewis (105), Marques Carrillo Edgar (101) and Dane Benedix (101). 

Bethke had a big game on defense, leading the team with eight tackles while recording two sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.  Saddleback had 10 tackles-for-loss and six sacks in the game while recording two interceptions.

Saddleback is now 6-3 overall and 4-2 in National Division Southern League play.  The Bobcats are currently in a three-way tie for second place alongside San Diego Mesa College and Mt. San Jacinto College.

Saddleback finishes the regular season at home against Mt. San Jacinto College next Saturday at 6:00 PM.  It is also Military Appreciation Night at the stadium.