FOOTBALL: HARSH SEASON OPENER

The #5 Hornets entered Ventura College's stadium ranked #5 in the state and were shut out by the #14 Pirates 31-0.

Fullerton could not pull themselves together after fumbling the ball over twice in the first quarter, which set up two to easy scores for Ventura. VC was up 14-0 fourteen minutes into the game. Ventura would take a stunning 21-0 lead into the half.

The second half was much of the same with the Hornet offense sputtering and the defense spending too much time on the field.

In all, FC committed 5 turnovers on the night hurting their chances for a season opening win.

Fullerton has not lost a season opener since 2006 when they fell on the road 31-24 against Bakersfield College in double overtime.

The last time the Hornets were shut out was in 1999, a 33-0 home loss to Cerritos College under Coach Gene Murphy. Before that, Fullerton was shut out 24-0 in 1985 at home to Cerritos under Coach Hal Sherbeck. 

Tonight's loss was not, however, the Hornets largest margin of defeat. The historic 50-0 loss at Bakersfield in 1961 still holds the record, Coach Hal Sherbeck's first game... and most of us know what happened after that loss.

Hornet Defeats Largest/Margins
Yr. Opponent Score (Difference)

1. 1961 Bakersfield 0-50 (50)

2. 1999 El Camino 6-50 (44)

3. 1931 Cal Frosh 0-43 (43)

4. 1998 Long Beach City 7-48 (41)

1951 SB Valley* 7-48 (41)

6. 1996 Cerritos 27-67 (40)

2000 Palomar 12-52 (40)

8. 1945 Compton 0-39 (39)

1939 Stanford Frosh 0-39 (39)

10. 1997 Long Beach City 13-50 (37)

Up Next: The Hornets (0-1) will try and pick the pieces next Saturday (Sept. 12) when they host the defending state champion Mt. San Antonio College Mounties. Kickoff will be at 12:30 pm.

*Photo by Ricardo Zapata