BLOCKED PAT AT END COSTS PERFECT/STATE #2 CSM IN 21-20 LOSS TO #6 AMERICAN RIVER: Bay 6 Title Defense Next

SAN MATEO -- A blocked extra point attempt with a minute left spoiled College of San Mateo’s perfect football record Saturday as visiting American River College took a 21-20 victory from the No. 2 state-ranked Bulldogs. CSM (4-1) had driven 55 yards in eight plays to score on a 5-yard run by quarterback Miles Kendrick with 1:02 showing on the game clock. The extra point try by NorCal kick-scoring leader Justin Watts (also the state’s top punter) was blocked by the Beavers’ Adam Lopez.

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September 30, 2017

COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO SPORTS NEWS               September 30, 2017       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Fred Baer          baerf@smccd.edu

 

Bulldogs Open Bay 6 Defense at De Anza Oct. 14:

 BLOCKED PAT AT END COSTS PERFECT/STATE #2 CSM IN 21-20 LOSS TO #6 AMERICAN RIVER

 

SAN MATEO -- A blocked extra point attempt with a minute left spoiled College of San Mateo's perfect football record Saturday as visiting American River College took a 21-20 victory from the No. 2 state-ranked Bulldogs.

 

CSM (4-1) had driven 55 yards in eight plays to score on a 5-yard run by quarterback Miles Kendrick with 1:02 showing on the game clock. The extra point try by NorCal kick-scoring leader Justin Watts (also the state's top punter) was blocked by the Beavers' Adam Lopez.

 

The game was tied at 7 entering a decisive final quarter, where the lead seemed to change on each possession.

 

No. 6 American River (4-1) struck first in the fourth period on a 21-yard pass from Peyton Wilfley to Arthur Jackson to go ahead, 13-7, with 13:39 left in the game. The extra point try was blocked by CSM defensive back Evan Dawson.

 

With the door open, CSM responded with a 65-yard drive, sparked by a spectacular 17-yard leaping pass reception on third down by Rajae Johnson. Kendrick capped the 9-play drive on a 5-yard run with 8:43 left.  Watts kicked the PAT to put the Bulldogs up, 14-13.   

 

The 2016 state runner-up Beavers came right back with a 6-play, 75-yard drive. Wilfley and Jackson connected on their third TD of the game, a 25-yard strike, to make it 19-14 with 7:14 left. Wilfley then hit Greg Eason with what proved to be the decisive 2-point conversion pass.

 

EARLIER: After a scoreless first quarter, American River struck first, completing a 69-yard second period drive with a 39-yard Wilfley to Jackson pass for a brief 7-0 lead. CSM came right back with a 12-play 60-yard march to tie it on Kendrick's 3-yard strike to Toa IA feta.  

 

KENDRICK & TAYLOR PACE STATS: Kendrick was 11 of 23 passing for 118 yards. He also rushed for 77 yards. Cameron Taylor was the game's top rusher with 78 yards on 23 carries as San Mateo totaled 174 yards on the ground. Jared Latu returned to action to pace CSM pass receivers with six catches for 67 yards.

 

The San Mateo defense limited ARC to just 36 yards rushing. But the Beavers passed for 325 yards. Dawson and Jamari Jackson each picked off ARC passes. Dorzel Hicks had nine total tackles and Steve Doughty had eight to pace the Bulldogs.

 

--Watts averaged 58.8 yards on four punts, including a state long of 74 yards in the fourth quarter, to increase his state pacesetting average to 44.3. That key kick pinned American River back inside the one and resulted in a 3-and-out – after which the Bulldogs mounted their final scoring drive. Only one other punter on the state's 68 teams has kicked over 70 yards (71 yards) this season.

 

BULLDOGS SET TO DEFEND BAY 6 TITLE: CSM has a bye week before opening defense of its Bay 6 League title at De Anza College (1-4) in Cupertino on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.

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