FOOTBALL FALLS TO SADDLEBACK IN SEASON OPENER

SANTA MARIA-- In a game that looked even statistically, big plays and points off turnovers proved to be the difference, as the Allan Hancock College football team fell 38-13 to Saddleback College in the season opener for both teams.

Hancock (0-1) surrendered two 86 yard touchdown passes as Saddleback pulled away in the second half, of what was a tight, defensive battle. Saddleback scored early in both halves and never trailed.

On the very first play from scrimmage, AHC quarterback Jonathon Dally (So., Righetti HS) was intercepted at mid-field and after the return, the Gauchos scored a touchdown on a five-play, 14-yard drive, to take a 7-0 lead. Saddleback added a field goal after an AHC turn-over on a muffed punt return and led 10-0 until the final play of the half. As time ran out, a scrambling Dally, heaved a hail-mary pass that Tyler Munnerlyn (Fr., Ocala, FL) gathered in for a 63 yard TD reception.

Saddleback started the second half in the same fashion as the first, scoring quickly on an 86 yard pass and run TD by tight-end Adam Goodman. Wide receiver Steve Melton added to the score, by breaking down the sideline for another 86 yard touchdown reception from QB Nick Nelson.

The Bulldogs scored once in the second half. A touchdown pass of ten yards from Dally to tight-end Kyle Pollock (Fr., Arroyo Grande HS) completed an 11-play, 70-yard drive.

Shaun Stewart (So., Queens, NY) led AHC with 58 yards on 13 carries. Fullback Andrew Hirsch (So., Arroyo Grande HS) ran four times for 57 yards. Dally ended the night completing 8-of-17 for 124 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Munnerlyn caught two passes for 78 yards.

Hancock will next travel to Coalinga to take on West Hills College on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on AM 1440 and AM 1410, with the pre-game show starting at 6:30.