The Bakersfield College Renegades football team remained undefeated (2-0) in the National Northern Conference after beating Ventura College in overtime 27-24.

The Pirates (4-3 overall, 1-1 in conference) controlled the game in the first half, putting up 17 points, most of which came from their starting quarterback Antavius Sims. Sims threw for 242 yards on 22-of-39 attempts while rushing for three touchdowns and 121 yards on 34 carries.

But the Renegades defense would show up when they were needed the most.

On the Pirates final possession of the fourth and on VC’s overtime possession, the Renegades hung tough and held the Pirates scoreless. In overtime, the Pirates had possession first and failed to gain any yards with three plays for losses and an incomplete pass.

BC’s offense struggled throughout only picking up 36 yards on the ground and quarterback Lyle Negron struggling to find his targets, going 13-for-24 with one interception. However, he did complete one of the most crucial passes of the game to give the Renegades a chance at a comeback.

All in one series, BC started to re-assert their selves back into the game. It started with an illegal-46-yard-would-be pass that found Negron headed to the bench, replaced with backup Byron Campbell. Two plays later, Campbell threw – his only pass of the game – a 37-yard pass to wideout Loren Kolb, but was injured on the play, bringing Negron back into the game. And on the next play, Negron dropped back to pass and threw a 55-yard touchdown to Kolb bringing the Renegades to within seven, 24-17 with just over 10 minutes to go in the fourth.

Kolb finished with seven catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns.

The Renegades, 6-1 overall, tied the game at 24 on defense with a forced fumble by linebacker Tierney Yates. The fumble was recovered and returned 53 yards for the score by linebacker John Oglesby.

After the failed possession in overtime by the Pirates, BC gained five yards on an encroachment penalty setting up place kicker Josh Gallington for a 35-yard kick for the win. VC had 15 penalties for a loss of 120 yards.

Gallington not only made this field goal, but has gone 10-for-10 on the season and 34-of-35 on PATs.

The Renegades maintain their No. 2 ranking and will play El Camino College at Memorial Stadium for homecoming on Oct 30. ECC is officially 0-7 overall, after winning their first four games with an ineligible player playing.

Side notes, the season so far:

Points scored: 40.9 points per game
Points allowed: 20.4 points per game
Kick returns: 26.4 yards per attempt
Punting: 37.7 yards per attempt
Punt returns: 16.2 yards per attempt
Turnover margin: +13/ 21 takeaways 8 turnovers
Pass efficiency: 142.7 percent efficiency
Sacks by: 27-187 yards
Penalties: 42-47.1 yards per game
Red zone offense: 86.5 percent scoring rate
Field goal: 10-10/ 100 percent