Football suffers another blowout
The Corsairs engaged the previously winless San Bernardino Wolverines on Saturday in what was expected to be a routine victory for the SMC squad. Mental mistakes cost the Corsairs turnovers, penalty yardage and ultimately, the game. The team seemed unable to get into a rhythm until the fourth quarter, which by then was too little, too late.
The Corsairs stumbled out of the gates and quickly turned the ball over on their first possession of the game. A pass by quarterback R.J. Rosborough was intercepted by San Bernardino's Darrell Callis, giving the Wolverines possession of the ball on SMC's 33-yard line. San Bernardino capitalized quickly and took an early 7-0 lead.
San Bernardino's second touchdown was due, in part, to unnecessary Corsair penalties. Taking advantage of the short field position, the Wolverines found little trouble breaching the end zone once more to double their lead.
Neither team scored in the second quarter and the half ended 14-0 in favor of San Bernardino.
The underestimated San Bernardino team wasted no time in continuing to make a name for themselves in the third quarter. After an unsuccessful Corsair attempt to convert on fourth down, the Wolverines took over at their own 37 yard line.
On third and five, Wolverine QB Roman Neville connected with wide receiver Cody Smith for another deflating touchdown via a 58-yard bomb. The San Bernardino lead would balloon up to 30-0 before the Corsairs could even make a dent in the deficit.
Similar to last week's late effort in a seemingly lost game, the Corsairs portrayed the authenticity of their resilience by continuing to compete. In their first possession of the fourth quarter, the Corsairs settled for three points after the offense was stalled at the five-yard line. But late in the fourth quarter, with only 3:46 left on the clock, QB Travis Williams completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to WR Reggie Mitchell for the first of two Corsair touchdowns of the quarter.
The final Corsair drive began with less than two minutes left to play. On second and nine, running back Torrence Whalum broke free for a 26-yard run to the Wolverine's 33-yard line. This set up following completions from Williams to Mitchell, WR Chase Fletcher and RB Anthony Germany to put them three yards away from pay dirt.
Whalum then punched it in for the touchdown on second and goal, sugar-coating the final score line in what was really a blowout, 17-37.
Despite the gallant comeback, turnovers from fumbles and interceptions, seven sacks, seven penalties and an offense that has yet to gel were too much for the Corsairs to overcome.
Giving his take on the game, SMC head coach Gifford Lindheim said, "While I was disappointed with the outcome, I was pleased with the momentum we gained late in the game."
SMC has a bye this week, but will face Santa Barbara in their first conference game of the season on October 9th.
"We are going to evaluate how we can improve and get better and hopefully have some great practices leading up to that game. My goal is to have the players playing up to their full potential," said Lindheim.