Football Tops Santa Barbara, 17-14, in Overtime Nail-Biter

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Allan Hancock College football newcomer, Colton Theaker, hit the game-winning field goal from 37-yards out in the extra period to lift the Bulldogs squad to a 17-14 victory over Santa Barbara City College on Saturday afternoon at Allan Hancock Field. Saturday's home event marked the first football game played on the AHC campus in 665 days. | BOX SCORE

With the win, Hancock moves to 1-0 on the season while the Vaqueros fall to 0-1. The Bulldogs now hold an overall series record of 33-22-1, which dates back to 1956, and have secured four consecutive victories over SBCC.

Offensive production for both squads was stale in the opening frame of the contest as the two teams combined for five punts, one fumble, and a turnover on downs through the first fifteen minutes of action. Hancock found the endzone with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter 25-yard scamper from Christian Erickson. The Bulldogs doubled the deficit just five minutes later after Maurice Smith completed a 32-yard run across the goal line and entered the intermission holding a 14-0 lead.

The Vaqueros cut the difference on their opening drive of the second half after taking six minutes off the board. The score came after a wild series that saw a 59-yard SBCC completion, a forced fumble by Ronald Fuselier near the endzone, and a recovery by a Vaquero to secure the touchdown. Both teams were scoreless through the remainder of the third frame, but Santa Barbara was able to knot the score early in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard rush across the goal line. SBCC nearly scored again after a penalty gave the squad a first down and placed them on Hancock's 16-yard line, but Loto Manogiman gave the Bulldogs breathing room after forcing and recovering a fumble. Hancock marched down the field after the recovery in a 16-play drive that spanned nearly nine minutes but was unable to put points on the board before time ran off. 

Teams entered the extra frame, tied 14-14, as the Bulldogs took the first position on the 25-yard line. The Bulldogs quickly found themselves in trouble after a pair of penalties built a 15-yard deficit for the offense, but an 18-yard completion from Esekielu Storer to Jaleel Walker gave them a manageable field position. A two-yard rush from M. Smith put the ball on the 20-yard line, which led to the game-winning field goal attempt for Theaker. Santa Barbara took the field for their offensive overtime attempt before a forced fumble by LJ Vongsy, which was recovered by Hancock's Adreian Stevenson, secured the victory. 

For the offense, M. Smith led the ground game for the Bulldogs with 115 rushing yards (6.8 per carry) and one touchdown while Erickson and Zidane Thomas each recorded just over 40 rushing yards. Mark Rodriguez earned the start as the quarterback for Hancock but was forced to exit early after an injury. He completed 1-of-3 attempts for six passing yards before his untimely exit. Storer, who entered to replace Rodriguez, went 4-for-8 on pass completions and totaled 62 passing yards. Walker led the group of wide receivers with 54 yards on two catches. Syre' Lewis led a trio of kickoff returners with a 21-yard run, followed by M. Smith's 18-yard attempt and BJ Jordan's 15-yard sprint. 

On the defensive side, Vongsy and Jesse Garza led the Bulldogs with nine tackles apiece. Stevenson, John Sniffen, and Andrew Lauritzen, who each registered one sack, combined to force a total yardage loss of 16 yards. Jaquez McWilliams secured the lone interception of the game for either squad in the second quarter, which halted a 14-play trek for Santa Barbara. 

Theaker finished the contest with a perfect 2-for-2 showing on PATs and was 1-for-2 on field goal attempts. He also racked up 188 kicking yards off the tee and averaged 42.8 yards per punt on four attempts. 

NOTABLES:

• Penalties plagued both squads as the two teams combined for 28 flags that led to a total loss of 214 yards
• SBCC recorded 188 yards through the air while the Bulldogs notched 170 yards on the ground
• Both teams registered three sacks apiece and each side fumbled five times in the contest 
• Hancock has now defeated SBCC in 6 of their last 10 meetings 

NEXT UP:

The Bulldogs are set for a visit to San Bernardino Valley on Saturday, September 11th, with a 6 PM kickoff.