COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Saddleback Defense, Special Teams Manhandle Grossmont

Saddleback College’s defense and special teams made it easy for the offense as the Gauchos coasted to a 37-20 victory over Grossmont Saturday night at Saddleback College.

After a disastrous 1-9 season last year, Saddleback (2-2, 2-1 in Mission Conference) won its second game in a row for the first time since 1988.

Running back Matt Carvalho ran for three touchdowns, gaining 84 yards in 19 carries to lead a rushing attack that featured 10 ball carriers, who rushed for 210 yards.

Carvalho’s third touchdown, a seven-yard run, made it 31-0 with 9:53 left in the third quarter. The special teams set up that score after Michael Coe blocked a punt that Mike Miller recovered at the Grossmont seven.

Interceptions by Coe and linebacker Penn Bushong set up first-half touchdowns on drives of four and 18 yards.

Saddleback held Grossmont to 35 yards rushing and 49 total yards in the first half. Quarterback Jason Bailey, who completed eight of 13 passes for 112 yards in the first half, connected with Mike Cook for an 18-yard touchdown pass that opened a 14-0 first-quarter lead.

The 37 points was highest point total registered by a Saddleback team since a 47-37 loss to Fullerton in 1988.