Owls Fall in OT to Riverside

Glendora, CA -- In one of the wildest games, Citrus Stadium has ever seen, the Citrus College Football team, ranked #4 in Southern California, fell in overtime to visiting and SoCal #3 Riverside Community College 21-18. The Owls got a touchdown to tie the game up as time expired, but missed an extra point from 30 plus yards away to win it. In overtime, the Owls missed another long field goal, while Riverside hit a 40 yarder for the victory.

Things started off well for the Owls, as sophomore Kody Duffy-Huerta picked off Riverside's first play from scrimmage after the ball was tipped at the line. Three plays later, the Owls were up 6-0 after freshman quarterback Bernard Porter found JoJo Curiel for a 35 yard TD catch and run. Citrus would miss the extra point.

Two drives later, the Citrus defense got another interception when sophomore linebacker Simon Pruitt took the pass from Riverside's Zach Adkins at the Riverside 21 yard line. One play later Porter found freshman Donovan Holmes in the corner of the end zone and the Owls were up 12-0 after a failed two point attempt.

That's all the offense Citrus would really muster until late in the game. The Owl defense meanwhile did a number on one of the top offenses in the State. Citrus held Riverside scoreless in the entire first half, something that hadn't been done all year long. In fact Riverside's offense never scored in the contest.

Mistakes caused the Owls the loss, and the mistakes happened late. Riverside finally got on the board in the third quarter when Porter threw a pick that the Tigers took to the end zone to make it 12-7. Porter, who had thrown just one interception all year long, threw four in the game.

Riverside got on the board again midway through the fourth quarter with a 22 yard field goal. After the Owls defense had a couple of big stands, the offense just couldn't return the favor.

After being forced into another three and out, Citrus kicked the ball away up by two with just under two minutes to go. On the ensuing punt, Riverside took the ball 62 yards to the end zone, giving them their first lead of the contest 18-12 after they made good on a two point conversion.

With time running out, and their hopes fading, the Citrus offense pressed on. After taking back to back sacks to open up the drive, and facing a third and real long, Porter somehow found sophomore Isaiah Kepley for a 14 yard pickup. That didn't cure everything though as they still faced fourth and 11 following the completion.

Down to one of their last prayers, Porter connected with Kepley again this time for a 35 yard pickup. On the play, Riverside would be flagged for roughing the passer moving the ball all the way up to the Riverside 20 yard line. Citrus' first play would be broken up, but the Owls somehow managed to stop the clock with one second left.

On the final play, Porter heaved a desperation throw to the end zone, where it was tipped in the air. The ball bounced around for a second before it fell into the hands of sophomore Josh Jones who tied the game up at 18-18. Amidst the excitement over the touchdown, the Owls rushed the field and were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The flag pushed the ball all the way back to the 18, forcing a 30 plus yards extra point that just missed.

That forced the game to be sent into overtime. In overtime, the Owls' offense continued to struggle and was forced into kicking a 46 yard field goal to keep their chances alive. The ball was blocked at the line though, and all Riverside had to do was run the ball a few times and kick a 40 yarder for the win, which they did.

Porter finished the day 19 of 36 for 202 yards and 3 TD's, but did have those four interceptions. On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore Rodney Mathews led the way with a game high 14 tackles, seven solo and seven assisted.

With the loss, Citrus falls to 5-2 on the year and 2-2 in National Division Central Conference play. The Owls will try and rally from Saturday's tough loss next weekend as they travel to El Camino College to take on the Warriors at 6:00 PM.