After losing the previous week at Southern California No. 1-ranked El Camino 40-24, the Bakersfield College Renegades defeated Pasadena City College 34-13 on Oct. 3 for BC’s first Northern National Conference win.
The Renegades improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in conference.
The victory was not an easy win for BC, with fumbles, penalties and mental mistakes still affecting the team’s playing. BC quarterback Logan Kilgore threw two interceptions and completed 13 of his 24 passes, with a touchdown and 204 yards.
“We created a lot of turnovers. We just got to play collectively as a group smarter. We can’t turn it over in the red zone,” said BC coach Jeff Chudy on missed chances in the first half.
“We had too many opportunities early on to knock people out [of the game] early, and we didn’t do that.”
Chudy also said, “We did some really good things on first downs and defense. Offensively, we just didn’t capitalize on great field position. You just learn from it.”
At halftime, with the score 17-13 after a potential comeback from Pasadena, Chudy gave a powerful speech to the team and resulted in the Renegades coming out and winning the game.
“That was probably as good a drive as we had all year, which says that we should be able to stack those kind of drives up.”
After the half, the Renegades’ first possession resulted in a touchdown which made the score 24-13.
BC halfbacks Ben Estill, Keldon Hampton and Julian Dean-Johnson carried for a combined 35 times and 75 yards.
Leading BC wide receiver Rishard Matthews caught eight passes for 95 yards, with Will Randle and Vince Van Horne catching for a combined four passes for 91 yards.
The BC defense turned out a better second half than the previous, as the Lancers did not score after their second quarter 13 points.
BC lineman Tyrone Crawford led the BC defensive line with four sacks on Pasadena’s Nick Ponce, and Renegade Tanner Webb led the safeties with two interceptions, and the interception turn 15-yard touchdown caught by BC’s Joseph Bertrand in the fourth quarter solidified the win for BC. The Renegades intercepted a total of five Pasadena catches.
Chudy expressed pride of his players.
“What we asked our guys to do at halftime was play like a championship football team – answer the bell. They did exactly what we had asked them to do.”
However, Chudy admitted mistakes were still being made. “Other than that, we were sloppy – it was sloppy football. We [still] have too many mental mistakes,” but clarified how the defense rose to the occasion. “Defensively, we played outstanding. We benefited extremely from a great pass rush. A key to a good pass defense is a great pass rush, and we had a great pass rush – we had eight sacks.”
Chudy had also words about the now 3-2, 0-1 Pasadena team and how the game will affect the Renegades.
“They’re not a bad football team, and for us it’s a learning experience.”
Chudy again expressed how he felt about his players.
“What I’m most impressed and proud of is how they responded coming out in the third quarter – that was a statement. We made a statement on defense and on offense. I was really proud of the way our guys handled that. Our guys have a fighting spirit. They showed their toughness by coming out that third quarter and getting after it. They made a statement, and I’m proud of the way they did that.”
The Sept. 26 loss at El Camino for the Renegades was the first loss of the season, as BC’s only successful drive of the game was their first one. After that first drive, the Renegades failed again to capitalize as the they went 4-for-15 on third down conversions and Kilgore threw for 175 yards, one interception, and only completed 10 of his 26 passes.
The rushing yards were kept to a limit as well, as Estill, Hampton, Matthews and Kilgore finished with a combined 31 net yards.
“Each game is like a test, when you lose a game,” Chudy said. “There are some things that must have gone wrong. You don’t play perfect. We didn’t capitalize on situations.”
The Renegades are on the road Oct. 10 at unbeaten conference-leading Hancock and return home Oct. 17 to face Moorpark in conference play.
Chudy said about going to Santa Maria to face Hancock, “Our work is definitely cut out for us.”
Injuries: Injured BC running back Eric Jones is still under careful watch, as Chudy explained, “He practiced this week, he’s not one-hundred percent, but we’re hoping by Tuesday (practice) he’s ready to roll. High ankle sprains are hard to overcome, but he’s been doing what he’s supposed to be doing from a treatment standpoint, but it’s a time factor.”
Chudy said that Jones is set, with no complications, to return at Hancock Oct. 10.
Chudy also commented on the status of Andre Smith Jr., who has also had ankle injury problems early this season. As far as if Smith is going to red shirt the rest of the season,
“Right now, it’s still up in the air,” Chudy added, “It’s very doubtful that he’ll be able to come back.”
Chudy added about Smith red shirting for the remainder of the season to save his eligibility to play next season, “That decision isn’t made until the end of the season.”