Bulldogs Snap Three-Game Skid with Win over No. 15 ELAC in League Opener

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College football team snapped a three-game losing streak in the National Northern League opener after topping No. 15-ranked East Los Angeles College, 23-19, in a back-and-forth affair at home on Saturday afternoon. | BOX SCORE

John Allen got the Bulldogs (3-3, 1-0 NNL) on the board early with a two-yard scramble on their second drive of the game, but the Huskies answered right back on their next possession with a five-yard touchdown pass. Both programs missed the extra point attempt and closed the opening frame with a 6-6 tie. East LA (3-3, 0-1 NNL) used a 40-yard pass to find the endzone again in the second quarter before Vic Garnes blocked the PAT attempt. Coach Damron's squad entered the intermission by facing a 12-9 deficit after Ray Seabury sent a 30-yard field goal attempt through the uprights to close the half. 

The Bulldogs set the tone early when action resumed as Jackson Clavel hit Raymond Paulo for a 66-yard catch-and-run touchdown on the opening play of the third quarter. Hancock's lead was short-lived as the Huskies regained the advantage six minutes later with a 30-yard touchdown pass. Jaleel Walker opened the fourth quarter with the go-ahead score and his fifth touchdown of the season after hauling in a 14-yard pass in the endzone.

Sidney Jefferies added to the excitement with some late-game heroics after registering two interceptions in the fourth quarter. The first interception, which he returned from the endzone for 42-yards, prevented ELAC's potential game-winning touchdown and closed out a second-and-goal opportunity for the visitors with under five minutes remaining. The South Bend native's second interception of the frame came with just 14 seconds remaining as he snuffed out any comeback hope for the Huskies on their final drive of the day. 

The Bulldogs posted 383 yards of total offense after registering 199 yards through the air and 184 yards on the ground. Clavel served as the "next man up" and earned his first start of the season in the quarterback position. The Ferris High School (Spokane, Wash.) alum ended his first appearance of the season with a 9-for-19 effort and two touchdown passes. Latrell Brown and Ferrari Busby led the rushing crew as they each recorded just over 45 yards apiece. Walker headlined the trio of receivers with 84 yards on the day, followed by 75 from Paulo and 40 from Jenaris Clay.

Defensively, the home squad was anchored by Jesse Garza's nine tackles, followed by Jefferies (5) and Jordan Fields (4). Andrew Lauritzen and Abraham Montero combined for the team's lone sack that forced a loss of seven yards. Fields, Adarius Odom, and Dylan Spiess also forced the Huskies in the wrong direction after being credited with tackles for loss. 

Seabury ended the day with five points after going 2-for-2 on PAT attempts and 1-for-1 on field goal tries. Arath Acosta earned his debut as the primary punter for Hancock and closed the event with 124 punting yards on three attempts while placing two inside the 20-yard line. 

NOTABLES:

• Coach Damron's defense limited the ELAC squad to just 57 rushing yards (2.5 yards per carry) and held them to an 11% third-down efficiency finish
• This marks the second consecutive come-from-behind victory over East LA for the Bulldogs
• Saturday's event marked the seventh meeting between the two programs, dating back to their first matchup in 2003
• Hancock now holds the all-time series, 5-2

The Bulldogs are set to return to action on October 22nd at home against College of the Canyons for Military Appreciation Day. Tickets can be purchased online at ahcbulldogs.com/ticketing. As a reminder, cash will not be accepted at the gate and the full description of ticketing procedures can be found here.