Football: First Quarter Proves too Much to Overcome

Mission Viejo, Calif. – The Golden West football team couldn't overcome a 28-point deficit in the first quarter as they lost in a lopsided one 63-38 to the undefeated Saddleback College Gauchos.

The Gauchos (8-0) scored early and often as the jumped out to a 21-0 lead with 7:31 left to play in the first quarter. Saddleback tacked on another touchdown just before the end of the first quarter to take their commanding 28-0 lead. The Rustlers offense seemed to figure things out in the second quarter as the outscored the Gauchos 17-14 in the first half slugfest. It started with a 33-yard field by Max Casper to get the Rustlers on the scoreboard, then quarterback Zach Lewis connected for two throwing touchdowns. The first was a 34-yard connection with Trevor Hobbs and the second hookup was with KC Carr for an eight-yard strike to make it 42-17 at the half.

Lewis again struck for more points in the third quarter, but this time it was wide out Jeremiah Wright on the receiving end for a 65-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 49-24. Unfortunately, Saddleback had an answer for every Rustlers score in the second half as they cruised to their 63-38 victory.

Both offenses combined for 1,099-yards, as Saddleback led the way with 680 yards of total offense and the Golden West put up 419 yards of total offense. Each quarterback threw one interception and sacked once each on the night.

Golden West will come back home on Saturday, November 9^th as they will take on Southwestern College at 1pm at Rustler Field.