COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Despite Loss in Season Finale, Fullerton Hopes for Bowl Bid

Fullerton College missed several chances for touchdowns and, despite a record-tying five field goals by Scott Szeredy, lost to Riverside, 21-17, in the season-ending Mission Conference Central Division game Saturday at Fullerton.

The loss drops Fullerton to 7-3, 3-2 in the division. Fullerton hopes to extend its season when bids for the Dec. 7 bowl games are announced today. The Hornets are a prime candidate for the Shrine Potato Bowl in Bakersfield.

Szeredy had field goals of 22, 45, 42, 42, and 47 yards to tie the single-game national record. He also was wide right from 37 yards on his other try.

Riverside led, 14-9, at the half, but the Hornets started the second half with an impressive drive. Fullerton had a first down at the Riverside one, but failed to score on three consecutive running plays.

Fullerton, planning to go for the first down, called a timeout to set up the fourth-down play. Fullerton was slow coming out of the sideline meeting, and was called for delay of game just before the ball was snapped.

Now at the six, Szeredy came on, kicking a 22-yard field goal to cap a 20-play drive that took 10 minutes 30 seconds.

Riverside quickly went ahead, 21-12, when Henry Preston broke up the middle for a 60-yard touchdown run 50 seconds after Fullerton settled for a field goal.

Szeredy made a 47-yard field goal with 12:06 left to cut the lead to 21-15. The Hornets’ defense then forced Riverside (4-6, 3-2) to punt.

Fullerton got as close as the Riverside 25 with 2:15 left, but then turned the ball over when quarterback David Pierson was hit as attempted a pitchout. The loose ball was recovered by Riverside’s Doug Dooley with 2:08 remaining.

Riverside used up a minute on the clock, but then was forced to punt from its 23. Punter Jeff McDaniel took the snap, but then intentionally ran into the end zone and was tackled for a safety with 51 seconds left.

Fullerton got no closer than the Riverside 35 this time. Pierson had a pass knocked down in the end zone by Bill Elliott as time ran out.