No. 25 Xavion Steele had quite a game today despite the loss. He blocked a field goal, led the team in tackles (10), and had a sack.
No. 25 Xavion Steele had quite a game today despite the loss. He blocked a field goal, led the team in tackles (10), and had a sack.

FOOTBALL: HORNET OFFENSE WILTS IN THE HEAT

The Hornets hosted Riverside City College in a hot one Saturday afternoon losing 16-7 in what was a tightly contested game.

The Tigers had never won at Shapell field, where the Hornets began playing in 2013. Ranked No. 1 by JCGriwire's national poll and No. 2 in the state by the CCCAA coaches poll, Riverside held Fullerton under 8 points for the first time since 2015, a 31-0 loss at Ventura College. Before that, FC had lost 17-3 at Mount San Antonio College in 2004.

The first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie in a battle between two titans as both teams struggled to get anything going.

Riverside put up the game's first touchdown at 8:55 in the second quarter on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Mike Irwin.

The Tiger defense kept the Hornet offense in check throughout most of the game, until the 4:50 mark in the 3rd quarter. That when FC scored their only time on a 45-yard strike from Quinn Commans to Keon Fogg. Two plays earlier, Commans had tossed a pretty 53-yard completion to Kailen Noseff.

Tied 7-7, it looked as if the momentum of the game was going in the Hornet's favor after David Farmer picked off Irwin on the Fullerton 2-yardline. On the next play, the Tigers tackled Lucky Avinger in the FC end zone putting RCC up 9-7.

Fullerton's back breaker came at the 1:55 mark when the Tigers took advantage of a special teams error scoring a TD on the very next play. Tyler Kennedy sealed the game on a 15-yard strike to Jacob Barlage.

Mental errors on special teams hurt the Hornets chances in crucial moments of the game. Two field goal attempts were blocked from 33 and 25 yards, a bad punt snap, and dropped punt return took potential points off the board.

The Hornet defensive unit played very well holding the Tigers to 191 total yards with 4 sacks. 

FC quarterback Quinn Commans was exceptional throwing for 308 yards (23 comp-35 att) with a TD and no interceptions. 

The loss today marks the first time since 2016 that Fullerton College was defeated by an opponent on the field.

Up Next: The Hornets will look to bounce back next week when they play at Santa Ana College for the 97th Key to the County game on Saturday, September 21st at 6:00 pm.

Week 2 Highlight Video

*Photo by Jim McCormack

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