Football: Third Quarter Slump Dooms Bulldogs at Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A slow third quarter led to the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs suffering a 48-35 loss on the road at Bakersfield College on Saturday evening in a National Northern League showdown. The Renegades now move to a 20-11 record in the all-time series, dating back to the first meeting between the two teams in 1986. | BOX SCORE

ALLAN HANCOCK (3-3, 1-2) @ BAKERSFIELD (4-2, 2-1)

QUARTER 1: AHC 14 | BC 7

Hancock's defense forced a quick three-and-out showing for the Renegades on the opening drive after Salofi Leasiolagi registered a sack 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage on the first snap of the contest. Caden Harris and Anthony Tucker exchanged rushing attempts on the ensuing possession while Makai Puga and Roling Davis combined for 35 receiving yards on four catches. Harris closed the effort with a six-yard scramble through the goal line to put AHC on the board before Chris Sapey sent his first of five PAT attempts through the uprights. 

Bakersfield leveled the playing field just 53 seconds later with a 74-yard touchdown pass and a successful PAT. The Bulldogs responded on the following series after a nine-play drive that spanned 83 yards, which included a 61-yard pass from AJ Vele to Puga and ended with a one-yard keeper by Vele to secure the score. 

QUARTER 2: AHC 0 | BC 7

The hosting Renegades brought the game to a tie before the intermission after scoring on a 46-yard heave with just under nine minutes remaining in the second frame. Neither team could find momentum down the stretch of the quarter as both squads used roughly four minutes of clock time to cover 25 yards apiece. 

QUARTER 3: AHC 7 | BC 20

Bakersfield surged ahead after the halftime break after forcing Jordan Orcutt onto the field for a 48-yard punt on AHC's opening possession before using a 45-yard toss to score. BC scored twice more on back-to-back chances with a seven-yard toss and a three-yard rush. 

Hancock found a way to score with two minutes remaining after Harris and Tucker put up 46 rushing yards on four tries and benefitted from an illegal block penalty by BC. Harris closed out that series with a three-yard rushing touchdown. 

QUARTER 4: AHC 14 | BC 14

Hancock's defense opened the fourth frame by forcing a fumble after a miscu between the Renegades' quarterback and a receiver, which was recovered by Connor Wiles at AHC's 30. Coach Aguilar's crew marched 70 yards down the field, which was highlighted by a 17-yard reception from Daylan Letisi and a 24-yard rushing touchdown by Tucker. 

Both squads scored on back-to-back drives before the contest came to a close. Bakersfield found the end zone after a 9-play series that covered 64 yards and ended with a one-yard rush, while the Bulldogs needed just four plays to cover 58 yards for the score. Vele and Puga connected three times on the possession with a 40-yard catch, a five-yard snag, and a 12-yard scoring catch.

Bakersfield closed out the contest with an 86-yard rushing touchdown.

LEADERS

Tackles: Jaaden Matthews (12), Dylan Heath (10), Jack Gentile (8)
Sacks: Salofi Leasiolagi - 2 (19 yards for loss)
Receiving Yards: Makai Puga - 183 yards (13 catches, 1 TD)
Rushing Yards: Caden Harris (19 att, 92 yards, 2 TD), Anthony Tucker (9 att, 73 yards, 1 TD)
Passing Yards: AJ Vele 226 yards (20-24, 1 TD)

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs will return home to face-off against College of the Canyons on Saturday, October 26th, at 2 PM on the AHC Football Field.  

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