No. 15 Bulldogs Falter in Loss to No. 11 Fullerton

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The No. 15-ranked Allan Hancock College football team fell, 28-20, in a home showdown against No. 11 Fullerton College on Saturday afternoon at the AHC Football Field. | BOX SCORE

The Bulldogs (2-2) held the momentum early after AJ Masunu put together a 29-yard rush after a fake punt on the opening drive, but the energy was quickly snuffed out by a Fullerton interception in the endzone just five snaps later. The Hornets (3-1) scored their first of two touchdowns in the opening frame after the turnover with a 63-yard pass. Fullerton struck again four minutes later after forcing a quick three-and-out before connecting on a 30-yard toss to score once more. Dior Kennedy put Hancock on the board in the second frame with a 5-yard scurry through the goal line, but a failed extra point attempt left the home squad trailing 14-6 at halftime.

Hancock cut the deficit to one after the intermission when Esekielu Storer heaved a 62-yard touchdown pass to Raymond Paulo, but Fullerton rebuilt their lead with a pair of rushes through the endzone before the third frame ended. Jaleel Walker registered the last score of the game after reigning in a 12-yard pass from Logan Mortensen in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. The defense stood tall for the Bulldogs and forced a turnover on downs with two minutes remaining, but the comeback attempt was cut short after an interception by the Hornets ended the drive.

Penalties proved to cause problems for the Bulldogs after 14 flags cost them 138 yards on the day. Storer ended the contest with 137 yards through the air and tossed one touchdown while completing 12-of-17 pass attempts before exiting early due to injury. Mortensen closed the game as the quarterback and completed 6-of-11 passing attempts while throwing one touchdown. Kennedy led the rushing crew with 86 yards on 20 attempts, followed by 52 yards on 14 attempts from JP Luketu. Walker stood atop the receiving core with 100 yards on 10 catches and one touchdown while Paulo posted 64 yards and one touchdown after snagging two passes.

Jordan Fields led the defensive effort with 12 tackles, including 1.5 hits that forced a loss of six yards. Vic Garnes recorded a team-high tally of five solo tackles en route to nine total, followed by five tackles apiece from Jesse Garza and Sidney Jefferies. Syre' Lewis also came through with a 29-yard interception, while JaTe'vius Franklin secured a fumble recovery and Naizan Seumalo registered the team's lone sack. 

NOTABLES:

• Saturday's game marks the 6th time in program history that the two teams have met, dating back to the first showdown in 1994
• Fullerton now leads the all-time series, 5-1
• The two teams combined for 27 penalties and 233 penalty yards 
• Walker set a new career-high mark with 10 catches on the day and has finished three games with 100+ receiving yards thus far

UP NEXT:

The Bulldogs are set to close out the non-conference slate with a trip to No. 4-ranked Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday, October 1.