Mt. SAC Football closes out regular season with NCC win at Cerritos

Defensive Back, Mason White with two interceptions against the Falcons. (Photo Courtesy of Ken McLin)
Defensive Back, Mason White with two interceptions against the Falcons. (Photo Courtesy of Ken McLin)

(Norwalk, CA) Mt. San Antonio College (9-1, 4-1) closed out its regular-season schedule with a 28-7 National Central Conference win against host Cerritos College (7-3, 3-2) on Saturday, November 12, securing second place behind Riverside City College (10-0, 5-0) in the conference standings.

The Falcons scored first late in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. The Mounties responded with a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ike Udengwu III (21-31, 276 yards passing, three TDs, 32 yards rushing) at the 11:57 mark of the second and a 24-yard pass play from Udengwu to Lucas Moore (four receptions, 43 yards) at the 5:47 mark.

Shemar Savage (2 catches, 44 yards) scored for Mt. SAC with 7:04 to play in the third on a 29-yard pass play from Udengwu to put the visitors up 21-7. Judah Ezinwa (2 catches, 44 yards) accounted for the final Mountie score on a 12-yard pass play from Udengwu with 14:53 to play in the fourth. Kicker Diego Esqueda converted on all four PATs on the night.

"I'm proud of the effort of the whole team," Mt. SAC head coach Bob Jastrab said.

"To me, this is one of our best games we played all season. They knew they were playing for a shot at the playoffs. I'm proud of the effort and the results."

Mohamed Nyangamukenga led the Mounties in rushing with 67 yards on 14 carries, while teammate Isaiah Dickerson added 53 yards on 12 carries.

Other top Mt. SAC offensive performances included Jaden N. Allen (3 catches, 52 yards) and Adrion Boyd (4 catches, 47 yards receiving, 4 carries, 23 yards rushing).

Defensively, Emmanuel Nkwocha (four solo) and Dupre Mendoza (three solo) led the Mounties with six tackles each. In addition to four solo tackles, defensive back Mason White intercepted two passes, bringing his season total to five.

"There's a reason why he (White) has (NCAA) Division I offers," Jastrab said. "He had two (interceptions) in the game. He's been doing that all year, along with the defense."

On the stat sheet, Mt. SAC nearly doubled the Falcons in total offensive yards, 451-227.

"We gave up an early touchdown, but the defense shut them out after that," Jastrab added.

Ranked No. 2 in the state in the most recent J.C. Athletic Bureau poll and No. 3 in the current California Community College Sports Information Association poll, the Mounties now await postseason playoff/bowl pairing announcements.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.