No. 2 Rustlers Travel to LeBard Stadium for 55th Battle of the Bell Game

No. 2 state-ranked Golden West College (6-0, 3-0 NCL) and rival Orange Coast College (0-6, 0-3 NCL) will face off in the 55^th meeting of the Battle of the Bell game on Saturday in Costa Mesa. Kickoff is schedule for 1 p.m. at OCC's LeBard Stadium.

The Rustlers will look to continue their dominance over the Pirates, having won eight straight rivalry games since the 2016 season. Golden West has taken 12 of the last 13 overall with the Pirates' last victory coming in 2015.

Last year, Golden West cruised to an impressive 49-10 victory in Huntington Beach. Quarterback Will Burns was masterful, throwing five of his eight passes for touchdowns, while the GWC defense held Orange Coast to 134 yards of offense. A trio of Golden West QBs, led by Burns, combined to complete 15 of 16 passes for 277 yards with 6 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Rustlers were up 35-3 at halftime.

TICKETS | Tickets are available online in advance at the OCC Tickets Page.

Ticket prices are as follows:
General Admission - $15
Senior Citizen/Military - $10
Children - $10
Students - Free

LIVE STREAM | The game will be broadcast live by Orange Coast College Athletics on Hudl. Live play-by-play stats will also be available online at the GWC Athletics website.

RANKINGS | Coming off its win at Pasadena City, Golden West retained its No. 2 state ranking for the second straight week. The Rustlers received 354 points and sit behind top-ranked San Mateo with 375 points in the this week's JC Athletic Bureau state poll of California community college coaches.

LAST WEEK | Golden West was challenged once again but the Rustlers were able to hold on for a 28-21 National Central League win at No. 17 Pasadena City College last Thursday night (Oct. 9).

GWC was up 14-7 at the break before the Rustlers added a pair of TDs in the third quarter that proved to be the difference.

Making his second start of the season, quarterback Kauna'oa Kamakawiwo'ole tossed a 43-yard touchdown pass to JD Alicea at the 13:12 mark and Ardwon Morris closed out a six-play drive with a three-yard TD run to give the Rustlers a commanding 28-7 lead.

Pasadena City responded with a touchdown late in the third and one more in the fourth quarter but would get no closer. John Bivens' interception late in the fourth, the Rustlers' third pick of the game, sealed the victory.

ABOUT ORANGE COAST | Not much has gone right for the Pirates this season as they are still in search of their first win of 2025. OCC is coming off a 34-7 loss at home to East Los Angeles last Saturday.

The Pirates trailed 7-0 at halftime before the Huskies exploded for 27 points over the final two quarters. Big plays hurt Orange Coast as East Los Angeles got touchdown runs of 85 yards and 38 yards as well as long TD passes for 78 yards and 62 yards.  

UP NEXT | Golden West returns home for the first of two straight games at Rustler Stadium. GWC hosts Cerritos on Saturday, Oct. 25 at noon.