JC FOOTBALL : Defense Leads Moorpark to a 28-14 Win

Moorpark College Coach Jim Bittner gave the defense credit for the Raiders’ 28-14 Western State Conference victory Saturday over visiting Compton.

“It was our defense that won the game,” Bittner said. “They kept us alive during crucial moments, when we needed them.”

Moorpark, ranked fourth in WSC team defense, virtually shut down the Tartans’ running game and captialized on several Tartan miscues. The Raiders intercepted four passes and recovered three fumbles.

They also held last week’s co-Western State Conference player of the week Jerry Chaney to 19 yards on 13 carries.

Three plays into the game--and two plays after Moorpark linebacker Kevin Thomas recovered a Compton fumble--quarterback Ken Lutz found his favorite wide receiver, Dan Russell, in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown pass.

Compton scored with 1:28 left in the first quarter, but on the ensuing kickoff reserve running back Uasi Latu slipped through the Tartan defense untouched for an 89-yard touchdown that put the Raiders ahead, 14-7.

“I’ve been expecting that from him (Latu) all season,” Bittner said of the second-year running back, who broke loose on a 35-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. “But still, our defense did it.”

The Raiders are 4-2 overall, 2-1 in conference. Compton fell is 2-4, 2-1 in conference.