While the offense was choppy during Saturday's SCFA non-conference day game at Santa Monica College, the Pasadena City College football team made big plays at key junctures while the defense was solid in securing victory #1 of the 2022 season, 27-20.
The Lancers (1-1) leaned on their defense to take the advantage and held a 19-6 lead going into the fourth quarter. The teams traded scores in a high-octane fourth quarter, but Pasadena's lead never really was threatened in what was Santa Monica's season opener.
PCC's relentless pass rush resulted in seven sacks of SMC quarterbacks as the Lancers held the Corsairs to just 11 yards net rushing in 29 ground plays. Outside linebackers Mark Anderson III and Jaylon McGee each recorded seven tackles and made two sacks each and nose tackle Luis Canales also tied for team-high honors in tackles with seven, including two for losses, while recording three QB hurries.
Defensive end Carlos Ramirez added two sacks as PCC sent Santa Monica backward often with 14 overall tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
"Our number one priority on defense is to disrupt the quarterback and make him uncomfortable," said PCC Director of Football Operations/Head Coach Robert Tucker. "I thought that the guys up front did a great job getting pressure with only three to four rushers. This allowed us to have more guys in coverage."
Another key to the victory was the play off the bench of letterman quartertback Jakob Doolittle. With PCC leading just 13-6, a McGee sack forced a fumble recovered by defensive back Jory Johnson at the Lancers' 44-yard line. Doolittle relieved starter Anthony Arnou and made rushes of 11, nine and two yards to move the chain. Double personal foul penalties v. SMC helped move the ball inside the 10. Ivan Ostry then broke through at least four Corsairs' tacklers for a 6-yard TD carry that upped PCC's lead to 19-6 midway through the third quarter.
Santa Monica cut it to 19-13 behind a 26-yard TD throw from QB Forrest Brock to receiver Jaboree Thornton with 6:21 left, but Doolittle would make the biggest play of the game on the ensuing series.
Ostry started things with a 36-yard kick return to the PCC 45. After a Doolittle rush, the sophomore dropped back and waited as wide receiver Jason Sanford was left wide alone downfield. The two combined for a 52-yard TD bomb. Doolittle then made a short pass to tight end Isaiah Smalls who just snuck into the corner of the end zone for a 2-point conversion and a 27-13 lead. It was Doolittle's only passes of the game.
"Jakob has done a great job of preparing for his opportunities. It was special to see the spark that he brought to the entire team today. He's a team player and was ready when his number was called," said Tucker.
After SMC cut the score to 27-20 against mostly PCC's second-string defense, the Corsairs were hoping for one last shot to tie it. Instead, Nate Sanchez performed a perfect 35-yard, coffin corner punt that pinned SMC at its 6-yard line. A McGee sack then sealed the Lancers win.
"Sanchez's first punt of his college career was a great one. I love it when guys are ready for the moment when their number is called and they get their opportunity. Nate had a great week of practice and it showed today."
After a scoreless first quarter, PCC used a 36-yard scramble by Arnou to set up a 2-yard TD run by Isaac Glover. A 2-point conversion pass failed and PCC led 6-0 with 11:04 remaining in the second quarter.
SMC would tie it at 6-6, but Arnou launched a 39-yard pass to Sanford and followed by hitting wide receiver Daniel Schwam (from Vienna, Austria) who pulled a 9-yard touchdown throw that regained Pasadena's lead. Justin Vergara's extra point kick made it 13-6 with 4:06 left before halftime.
Overall, Sanford had a solid game for the second straight week as he caught five passes for 137 yards and scored his third TD of the year.
Next Saturday, Sept. 17, the Lancers play a rematch of the 2021 SoCal Bowl won by PCC as they take on Santa Ana. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Robinson Stadium.
PCC GRIDIRON NOTES: Cornerback Drake Vickers made an interception that ended the first half and stopped a SMC scoring chance. Vickers picked off Michael Cruz's pass at the PCC 4 after Canales put intense pressure on Cruz...Lineman Michelangelo Loretto had a sack and a fumble recovery while Jordan Monroe contributed two QB hurries. DB Secil Ackah made two pass break-ups and blocked an extra point attempt...SMC outgained PCC in total offense, 305-293...Pasadena is now 14-4 in the all-time series v. Santa Monica...On his team's overall play, Tucker said, "I'm encouraged by our effort. I'm looking forward to working on our fundametnals and getting better with each practice."