Warriors Falter Late at Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. - After leading 23-16 over No. 9 Fullerton College after three quarters, the No. 15 Warriors gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a 30-23 loss on Saturday night at Fullerton Stadium.

A touchdown by Tyrell Green Jr with 5 minutes left in the game was the difference in Saturday's non-conference matchup with the Hornets.

The Warriors struck first in the first quarter after a Mark Waronek field goal.  After receiving the kick-off the Warriors drive stalled out but they got the ball back immediately after forcing a fumble on the punt. The Warriors punted from their own 30 yard line and ended up recovering the ball at the Fullerton 30 yard line.

The Hornets would score on a field goal of their own in the ensuing possession to keep it 3-3.

The Warriors would drive 53 yards during their first drive in the second quarter but Waronek had his field goal attempt blocked at the 13 yard line.  The Hornets scored on a touchdown after starting their drive on the El Camino 43-yard line to take a 10-3 lead.

However, El Camino immediately responded after Brian Santana-Fis scored on a 60 yard rush on the first play of the Warriors drive. 

Fullerton would take a 16-10 lead heading into halftime after an 80-yard drive capped off by a Josh Calvin touchdown pass.

The Warriors scored 13 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 23-16 lead.  On 3rd and 10 at the 50-yard line, Mehki Jordan found Marceese Yetts for a 50-yard pass and the Warriors took a 17-16 lead.

Koa Carroll forced a fumble on the Fullerton 26 yard line and Vea Manu returned it to the 16-yard line.  Stephen Bradford Jr. was able to take it to the house on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Warriors a 23-16 lead.

The Hornets tied the game up at 23-23 on their first drive in the fourth quarter.  Brandon Nunez rushed for 26 yards to make it a 23-23 game.

With 5:37 left in regulation, the Warriors went for it on 4th and 4. A fake punt attempt was intercepted by Fullerton's Kasyus Kurns and he returned it to the El Camino 40 yard line.  It took two plays for the Hornets to score on a rushing touchdown by Tyrell Greene Jr giving the Hornets the 30-23 lead.

The Warriors final drive started at the Warriors 25-yard line.  They got two first downs and into the Hornets territory but that was as far as the Warriors would get.

The Warriors had 355 yards of offense compared to Fullerton's 455 total offense.  The Warriors rushed for 195 yards and passed for 155 yards.  They gained 17 first downs to the Hornet's 23 first downs.

Mehki Jordan was 13-26 with 155 passing yards and 1 touchdown.  He also rushed for 67 yards.  Brian Santana-Fis led the offense with 106 rushing yards on 11 attempts.  Joshua Lorick had 4 receptions and 58 yards.  Marceese Yetts had two receptions for 51 yards and one touchdown.  

Keith Morgan Jr. led the Warriors defense with 10 tackles.  DJ Morgan and Koa Carroll had 9 tackles, Carroll also forced a fumble.

The Warriors take on Santa Monica College in their next game on Saturday, October 8th after their game was rescheduled from September 3rd.  Kick-off is set for 6:00 p.m. at Murdock Stadium.