Football Ends Season at Southern California Bowl, Puga Breaks Season Receiving Yards Record

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College football program saw the 2024 campaign come to a close after falling to Golden West College in the Southern California Bowl, 28-7. The game was held on Sunday afternoon in Huntington Beach, marking the third overall meeting between the two teams and first since 2013. | BOX SCORE

The end of the season marked a milestone for the Bulldogs as sophomore wide receiver, Makai Puga, broke the school record for single-season receiving yards. This season, Puga hauled in a total of 1,146 receiving yards through 10 games played. This number replaces the previous record of 1,104 yards set by Shane Henderson back in 2011 after an 11-game season. He also finished just one touchdown shy of the current receiving touchdowns bar, which is 12. 

The Bulldogs close the season with an overall record of 6-5 after making their third consecutive bowl appearance and 23rd postseason qualification in program history. They finished tied for fourth place in the conference standings with a 4-3 tally against National Northern League foes.

ALLAN HANCOCK (6-5) @ GOLDEN WEST (9-2)

QUARTER 1: AHC 0 | GWC 7

Golden West got on the board with six minutes remaining in the opening frame after a fumbled punt turned the ball over on AHC's nine-yard line. The Rustlers recovered that turnover and quickly crossed the goal line just two snaps later for the first score of the day. 

QUARTER 2: AHC 0 | GWC 7

The hosting Rustlers doubled the deficit just before the halftime intermission with a six-play drive that covered 59 yards and ended with a three-yard rush past the goal line. 

QUARTER 3: AHC 7 | GWC 7

Hancock struck first on the opening drive of the second half after Puga notched a 37-yard kickoff return. Caden Harris finished that effort with a 58-yard scoring streak before Chris Sapey completed the point-after try.

Semaji Carmichael nearly brought the game to a tie just one possession later after breaking free for a 37-yard rush, but his touchdown was called back due to an offensive hold. That drive ended with a punt which lead to another GWC touchdown on the ensuing opportunity. 

QUARTER 4: AHC 0 | GWC 7

Golden West managed to score once more in the final frame when a string of 12 plays ate up over six minutes of clock time and ended with a one-yard scramble by the quarterback. 

LEADERS

Tackles: Connor Wiles (11), Salofi Leasiolagi (10), Jack Gentile / Ahmad Govens (6)
Sacks: Salofi Leasiolagi (2), Jaaden Matthews (1)
Receiving Yards: Makai Puga - 34 yards
Rushing Yards: Caden Harris - 143 yards (1 TD)
Passing Yards: Drake Missamore - 43 yards (4-9)

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