Orange Coast Crafts an Upset of No. 5 San Diego Mesa, 24-14

Freshman safety Bill Craft intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown Saturday to help lead Orange Coast College to a 24-14 upset over San Diego Mesa in Mission Conference play in Costa Mesa’s LeBard Stadium.

Craft’s interception came with 4:04 left in the first half and OCC leading, 14-0.

With Mesa (3-2, 4-2), ranked fifth in Southern California, at the Pirate eight-yard line, quarterback Jeff Sturch was looking for Steve Martinez when Craft stepped in front of the wide receiver, intercepted the pass and went the length of the field to score. The return tied a school record set by Mike Lacy against Long Beach City in 1973.

Craft added a second interception, and Brian Sherrard intercepted a Sturch pass on the goal line as time ran out. The Pirates went into the game with only one interception.

“We just played good defense today,” OCC Coach Bill Workman said. “Craft’s interception really put the pressure on them.”

OCC quarterback Jon Nowotny, who injured his left shoulder against Saddleback on Oct. 4, completed 18 of 30 pass attempts for 213 yards and 2 interceptions in his first game since the injury. He was the Pirates’ only quarterback Saturday, as backup Cary Conoway did not show up for the game.

Workman said he did not know where Conoway was. “I haven’t talked to him in two days,” he said.

ORANGE COAST 24, SAN DIEGO MESA 14 OCC--Swigart 20 run (Greene kick)

OCC--Montgomery 5 run (Greene kick)

OCC--Craft 99 interception (Greene kick)

SDM--Jackson 44 pass from Sturch (Russell kick)

OCC--FG Greene 32

SDM--Anderson 17 pass from Sturch (Russell kick)

Attendance--1,000