The Bakersfield College football team beat Santa Ana College 36-19 behind a big third quarter and starting quarterback Brian Burrell’s performance on Sept. 1.
The Renegades opened their season at home against the Santa Ana Dons, and the Renegades delivered a win thanks in part to a big third quarter in which they outscored the Dons 14-0 and held Santa Ana’s offense without a first down for the whole quarter. BC also outgained the Dons 500-395 for the whole game on their way to a comfortable win at home.
BC got a big performance from Burrell, who threw for 370 yards on 26 of 38 and also had four touchdowns. The Renegades also got good performances from wide receivers Brock Martin and Chaz Adams. Martin had eight receptions, 120 yards and one touchdown and Adams had five receptions, 126 yards and two touchdowns.
BC started the game off fast with a fumble recovery on the very first play for the Dons offense, and that led to a BC field goal. After a quick three-and-out by Santa Ana, BC got the ball back and took it in for a touchdown. Santa Ana was able to respond scoring 10 unanswered points of their own. After both teams traded field goals to make the score 13-13, BC once again, broke the tie with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Burrell to Martin that capped a 75-yard drive on 6 plays. With 2:41 left Santa Ana tried to score their own touchdown to tie the game before half, and they got to BC’s 5-yard line, but on third-and-goal Santa Ana quarterback Hayden Gavett’s throw was tipped and then intercepted by BC’s linebacker Ozzy Sombo .
That defensive stop helped BC to get some momentum going into the half, and they took advantage in the third quarter. In the second play in the second half BC running back Curtis McGregor broke a tackle at the scrimmage line and then reversed the field and took it for 48 yards to the Santa Ana 14-yard line to set up another score for BC. BC scored with another play going their way, and this time it was Burrell’s pass being tipped in the air by his own receiver, and into the hands of a wide open BC receiver, Adams, in the back of the endzone.
“We got some lucky plays, but you know it works and they still count the same,” said Burrell.
The Renegades defense was able to get another quick three-and-outand led to another Burrell touchdown. Only this time they chose to do it the conventional way with a 64-yard touchdown pass from Burrell to Adams once again.That touchdown gave BC the cushion they needed and from there just cruised to a victory.
BC coach Jeff Chudy commented on the game.
“I thought we did outstanding and did great for our first game,” he said. “We have a lot of freshmen running around like deer in the head lights and I thought Burrell did a nice job managing the game. His poise gives us alot of confidence.
“I thought defensively we were a little on our heels the first half, but we did a great job and I thought our coaches did a nice job making some adjustments, and most importantly the players executed those adjustments. I was proud how our guys responded because Santa Ana is a good football team, so it’s a good win.”
He added that he still wants the team to improve on every area specifically on returning the ball and doing a better job blocking during field goals.
BC is scheduled to play at Mt. SAC on Sept. 8.