Moorpark Wins Behind Strong Defense

Corey Tucker threw for one touchdown and ran for another in the second half as Moorpark College defeated College of the Desert, 21-9, Saturday night in a nonconference game at Boone Field in Palm Desert.

Tucker connected with Tim Blakeley for a 25-yard score three minutes into the third quarter for a 14-3 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, Tucker ran around left end and outraced the defense for a 36-yard touchdown.

Moorpark improved to 2-0. Desert is 0-1-1.

Moorpark generated just 54 yards in the first half and led, 7-3, only because of its defense. The Raiders recovered a fumble at the Desert three-yard line with 10 minutes to play in the half and Harold Boudreaux scored from the one-yard line two plays later.

The Moorpark defense recovered four fumbles and intercepted one pass. The Raiders allowed just 200 yards in total offense and 10 first downs.

Linebacker Kenyon Lewis, a sophomore from Oxnard High, played exceptionally well for Moorpark. Linebacker Quincy Johnson and lineman Mondo Salazar also excelled on defense for the Raiders.

Both Moorpark touchdowns in the second half were set up by fumble recoveries.

Desert scored with five minutes to play when quarterback Josh Jacobson hit Ron Misetich with a four-yard pass.

The Roadrunner offense could not sustain many drives as Yero Craig, who led the team with 63 yards rushing, fumbled four times and lost three.

Reuben Allen led Moorpark in rushing with 37 yards, 35 in the second half.