(San Diego, CA) It took four overtimes, but the Mounties prevailed in a a marathon, 41-35, win over host San Diego Mesa College on Saturday (11/03). In the National Division Central Conference contests fourth overtime, Mt. SAC running back Rachaad White ran for a five-yard touchdown for the hard earned win.
It was the longest game for the Mounties in years. The last multiple overtime game was a double OT loss to Long Beach City College in 2015.
At the end of the third quarter, it was a 13-13 tie with Quarterback Dylan Flenniken tosssing TDs to Schofield (26 yards) and Jackson (42 yards), while Mesa score a TD and two field goals.
The offenses for both teams came alive late in the game with each team scoring early in the fourth quarter.
Mt. SAC took a 20-13 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Flenniken and the Olympians tied the game, 20-20, after a Mt. SAC fumble led to a TD, two plays later.
It took a big defensive play by linebacker Tauivi Ho Ching (3 solo tackles, 1 assist), who blocked a fourth quarter 39-yard Mesa field goal attempt, as time expired, to take the game into overtime.
In the first OT Flenniken (21 for 29, 222 yards, 3 TDs, 39 yds. rushing) found Griffin for a 23-yard score, but Mesa countered with a TD and extra point to tie the score at 27-27 and send it into a second OT.
Each team failed to score in the second OT.
In the third OT, which requires a mandatory 2-point conversion after a touchdown, Flenniken ran in his second TD of the game and completed a 2-point conversion pass to wide receiver Gaston Bouchereau, to give the Mounties a 35-27 lead. The Olympians marched right back with a touchdown and 2-point conversion, for the fifth tie of the game at 35.
However, after the Olympians failed to score in the fourth overtime, the Mounties converted and came away with their first conference win.
Wide receiver Chris Jackson led the Mounties with six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Austin Grifin (6 catches, 48 yards) and wide receiver Jonathan Schofield (3 catches, 46 yards) also had a TD.
White led the Mounties with 65 yards, on 19 carries, but there there wasn't much offense on the ground as Mt. SAC totaled 146 yards and Mesa had 83 yards.
In the air, the two quarterbacks combined for 79 passes and 490 yards, for five touchdowns.
Mt. SAC concludes the regular season with a road game against Fullerton College this Saturday, November 10th. Game time is 1:00 pm at Nathan Shappell Stadium on the Yorba Linda High School campus.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.