Defense, First Half Control Story of Football's 2024 Success

The state #21-ranked Pasadena City College football team has certainly feasted on the competition in the SCFA American Division this season, now at 8-0 overall after Saturday's 32-7 win at Los Angeles Southwest College. But the formula to the team's success is simple--the Lancers first-string defense dominates opponents while the squad has built commanding halftime leads.

While LA Southwest was one of the few teams to move the ball offensively against the formidable PCC defense, the Cougars (5-3 record) only scored a defensive touchdown and were worn down by the the Lancers starting unit, which played the majority of this game.

The only other time the first string played most of the game was the team's 21-19 victory over American Metro League co-leader Chaffey. 

Those two teams are expected to face each other for the American Division Championship on Saturday, Nov. 30, likely at Robinson Stadium. 

Against LASW, PCC (3-0 in Pacific League play) led 22-7 by halftime and in seven games (one forfeit win over College of the Desert) this season the Lancers have outscored the competition a whopping 193-30 in first halves of the contests.

Out of those 30 points allowed, PCC's defense has surrendered just two passing touchdowns and one field goal. The other two TDs were two fumbles (one offense, one special teams) that turned into opponents' scores. 

In the second halves with the Lancers subbing in second, third and even fourth string units, the opponents have actually outscored PCC, 78-69. 

After Pasadena stopped LASW on the opening series, Cougars' punter Jonathan Martinez fielded a bad snap, then tried to throw a pass only to see PCC linebacker Torriq Brumfield pick it off and return it for an 19-yard interception return for a touchdown. Nico Razo's extra point kick made it 7-0 just 1:19 into the game.

On the very next series, it was linebacker Kyden Bailey's turn for an interception. Despite being inside the Cougars' 20-yard line, the Lancers came up empty on a missed 34-yard field goal attempt. 

LA Southwest, directed by former PCC offensive coordinator and head coach Marguet Miller (2006-2008), was impressive itself on defense and moved the ball offensively with a 49-yard series that ended with PCC forcing a punt after a Sione Suliafu sack. LASW advanced to inside PCC's 20 on the next series, but the Lancers' defense again came up big with a fourth-down, 3-yard tackle for loss made by cornerback Idrique Carmichael. 

A sack and forced fumble by LA Southwest's Tyreek Curley on PCC quarterback Kaden Taylor, allowed the ball to bounce toward the Lancers end zone as Cameron Washington recovered it for a Cougars' touchdown. The two teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter. 

The Lancers struggled to get things going until two big plays with less than five minutes left in the first half. Taylor put PCC ahead, 15-7, on a 27-yard TD pass to Flip Fox coupled with a 2-point conversion run by extra point kick holder Nathan Noguez-Estrada, his second conversion in two weeks. 

On the first play of the next series, safety Eli Moulton made a punishing tackle on a rushing play that forced a fumble recovered by the Lancers at the LASW 26. Mohammad Maali followed with a 13-yard touchdown run as he broke free down the right sideline to make it two touchdowns in a span of 75 seconds. Ozlo Rigby's extra point kick gave PCC its 15-point halftime advantage.

In the second half, PCC put the game away with a 33-yard field goal by Rigby in the third quarter and a 23-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Sitani Suguturaga to Maddux Mateski late in the fourth quarter. 

After earning SCFA Special Teams/All-Purpose Player of the Week in last week's win over Pierce, Maali was the team's best offensive weapon v. LASW as he carried a work-horse 28 times for 128 yards. 

In a solid effort, Taylor completed 13 of 22 passes for 160 yards and one interception. 

On defense, Carmichael made a team-high nine tackles (four solos), Bailey made eight tackles (six solos), including two for negative yards, safety Kimbom Aseh added seven tackles, linebacker Jachai Pulley seven tackles (one sack), and lineman Suliafu made two sacks for minus-15 yards. Julius Ray added two pass knockdowns.

LA Southwest has a defensive stalwart in Curley, a linebacker who made a game-high 12 tackles. 

Next Saturday, Nov. 9, the Lancers can clinch at least a tie for their second straight APL title as they visit Glendale College for a 12 noon game. PCC has more victories v. the Vaqueros than any other opponent its history with 38 in 53 meetings (one tie). 

PCC GRID NOTES: Josh Soto had the game's longest reception, a 31-yard catch...The PCC kickers had a tough day with four missed field goals overall...The defense totaled eight total tackles behind the line of scrimmage...PCC Director of Football Operations/Head Coach Robert Tucker has a 31-9 record (.775 win percentage) in now his fourth Lancers season and 61-12 mark in his seven years of community college coaching at PCC, LA Valley and Coalinga.