Blocked Punt Gives Glendale WSC Bowl Win

Glendale College staged a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter and tailback Sean Hampton rushed for 2 touchdowns to lead the Vaqueros over Santa Monica, 23-20, Saturday night in the inaugural Western State Conference Bowl at Santa Monica.

Hampton, who rushed for 86 yards in 23 carries, scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard dive with 11:17 to play.

The score was set up when Glendale linebacker Andres Washington blocked Dean Osmundsen’s punt and teammate Rodney Rosser recovered at the Santa Monica 3-yard line.

Three plays later, Hampton leaped over the top to put the Vaqueros ahead for the first time, 21-20. Quarterback Keith Fitzgerald hit Hampton in the right front corner of the end zone for a 2-point conversion.

Glendale blew an opportunity to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. Starting from the Vaqueros’ 34, Fitzgerald linked up with David Nottoli at the Santa Monica 35. Nottoli took a hard shot but held onto the ball. Two plays later, Fitzgerald connected with Carnel Culver for a 22-yard gain.

Fitzgerald threw 2 incomplete passes, Hampton barely missed Fitzgerald on a tailback option pass and the Vaqueros had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by David Bowen that cut the Santa Monica lead to 20-15.

The Corsairs, who gained 158 yards in the air in the first half, began the third quarter on the ground.

Tailback Deon Thomas, the leading rusher in the WSC (1,219 yards), ran up the middle, bounced outside and raced 50 yards to the Glendale 25. Santa Monica was unable to advance, however, and with about a minute expired in the quarter, Mario Henriquez’s 35-yard field-goal attempt was blocked.

Glendale marched downfield on the ensuing possession. With 9:36 remaining in the quarter, Bowen kicked a 32-yard field goal that cut the deficit to 20-12.

With 12 seconds remaining in the first half, Osmundsen stood at his own 10-yard line and prepared to punt. On the snap the ball bounced, Osmundsen chased it and finally batted it out of the end zone for a safety to cut the Santa Monica lead to 20-9 at the half.

Midway through the second quarter, Santa Monica receiver Vincent McGowen returned a Brian Greenfield punt 43 yards to the 50. Four plays later at the Glendale 34, Daryl Hobbs hit Antoine Holland on a crossing pattern. Defensive back Paul Simpson tried to make a diving tackle but missed and Holland cruised untouched into the end zone. It was Hobbs’ third touchdown pass of the half.

Henriquez’s conversion attempt was blocked and Santa Monica had to settle for a 20-7 lead.