Sports in the News

Football Succombs To Turnovers In 33-19 Loss At Ventura

Ventura College forced five Pasadena City College turnovers, two that produced instant touchdowns as the Pirates handed the Lancers a 33-19, SCFA non-conference, football defeat Saturday afternoon at the Ventura Sports Complex.

Pasadena, the region's No. 18-ranked squad. dropped to 2-3 in finishing its pre-National Southern Conference schedule. Ventura improved to 3-2.

The Lancers rallied from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit to take a 13-10 halftime lead thanks again to the passing of quarterback Cesar Hernandez. The southpaw throwing Hernandez found tight end Kwajo Bonsu in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard TD pass just 70 seconds into the second quarter. During that series, Hernandez extended it on a fake punt that resulted in a 29-yard completion to Aaron Simpson. Late in the period, Hernandez lofted a 59-yard touchdown bomb to wide receiver Jose Rodriguez to give PCC the lead.

With just under three minutes left in the third quarter, Ventura regained the advantage, 17-13, on a 13-yard scoring run by second-string quarterback Chase Smith. On the next series, Hernandez attempted a short screen pass to Bonsu, but P.J. Gramaud made a sensational interception and returned it 43 yards for a Pirates' touchdown. Late in the first quarter, Ventura's special teams produced a 14-yard fumble return for a TD by Antoine McGuire after Simpson had the ball jarred loose on a punt return following a hit by Jamie Holloway.

The Lancers refused to quit, answering with a nifty 15-yard TD scamper by Hernandez with 12:11 left in the game. Despite a missed 2-point conversion pass, PCC had cut the lead to 24-19. However, another turnover on Hernandez's fourth interception helped set up a 3-yard TD run by Ventura's Victor Caro that put the game away with 6:09 remaining.

Overall, Hernandez completed 28 of 45 passes for 366 yards, giving him an impressive 811 yards over the last two games. Wide receiver Wayne Peters made nine catches for 94 yards as Hernandez connected on passes to seven different ball-catchers.

PCC outgained Ventura in total yards, 378-294.

The Lancers' defense was paced by defensive back Jarron Williams with nine tackles and a pass break-up, and eight tackles each by DB Antoine Morris and sophomore linebacker Grant Haggard. Linebacker Dean Bisterfeldt added five tackles and a 13-yard sack while defensive back/returner Simpson contributed an interception and five tackles. Lineman Allen Dixon knocked down three passes and Mike Sepulveda recovered a fumble.

After taking next week off for its season bye, PCC opens NSC play in two weeks when it hosts Fullerton College on Saturday, October 15. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Robinson Stadium.

PCC Football's 5-game, midway mark statistical leaders:

Passing--Hernandez, 102-176, six interceptions, 1,334 yards, 11 TD
Rushing--James Owens, 65 carries, 364 yards, 5.6 per carry, 2 TD
Receiving--Peters, 42 receptions, 476 yards, 11.3 per catch, 1 TD
All-Purpose--Peters 733 yards, 146.6 per game
Scoring--Jose Rodriguez, Hernandez, Owens, 24 points, 4 TD each
Kick Scoring--Robert Poage, 14 points, 14-16 extra point attempts
Tackles--Morris, 38 (28 solo also team high)
Interceptions--Williams, 2 for 41 return yards, Aaron Simpson 2 for 0
Sacks--Pone Faleofa, 3 for 16 yards lost
Punting--Hernandez, 18, 36.6 yards average, long of 54
Punt Returns--Simpson 4 for 80, 20 yards average
Kick Returns--Peters 10 for 239, 23.9 yards average

[Photo--PCC's Edward Jahnke (55), Grant Haggard (40) and Dean Bisterfeldt (49) wrap up a Ventura running back during the Lancers' 33-19 loss Saturday at Ventura, image by Richard Quinton.]

Release Date: 10/01/11
Robert Lewis, Sports Information
Phone: 626-585-7018, Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu

Revised February 8, 2013 by rmlewis@pasadena.edu