Troy Stifles Costa Mesa, Wins, 14-13

Costa Mesa started with a bang but ended with a whimper as Troy ran out the final five minutes to clinch a 14-13 nonleague victory at Fullerton High Friday night.

Troy’s Matt Frobenius rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries to lead the Warriors (3-1) offensively, while the defense limited Costa Mesa to six points.

“Against this team, allowing only six points is an amazing feat,” Troy Coach John Turek said. “They’ve been really crunching people.”

Costa Mesa, which averaged 33 points in its first three games, scored on the opening kickoff when Steve Owens returned it 85 yards for a touchdown. Bryan Luxembourger’s extra point gave the Mustangs (1-2-1) a 7-0 lead.

On Troy’s second play following the ensuing kickoff, Frobenius took a handoff and weaved 40 yards through the Costa Mesa defense to score a touchdown. Chris Blume’s extra point tied the score, 7-7, just one minute into the game.

Frobenius got the bulk of his yardage on two carries. On Troy’s first play of the second half, Frobenius’ 38-yard run moved the Warriors to the Costa Mesa 26.

Two plays later, Troy scored when Frobenius took a handoff, but fumbled at the six-yard line. The ball rolled to the three, and Troy’s Larry Vasquez picked it up and ran for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

Costa Mesa couldn’t mount a drive until the fourth quarter. The Mustangs fumbled eight times, including six fumbled center-to-quarterback exchanges.

In the fourth quarter, Costa Mesa drove 86 yards in 13 plays, culminated by Binh Tran’s three-yard touchdown run with 5:35 remaining. Tran rushed for 117 yards in 28 carries.

Costa Mesa went for the two-point conversion, but quarterback Ryan Taylor mishandled the snap and was tackled at the four.

Troy didn’t give the Costa Mesa offense another chance, killing the final 5:35. On third and eight with 3:35 remaining, Troy quarterback Brian Logan connected on a 13-yard pass play to tight end Jim Wise.

On the next third down, Logan avoided the pressure and scrambled 10 yards for another first down to the Troy 47 with under two minutes left.

Logan completed six of eight passes for 70 yards, including five to Nick Ruzzi for 57 yards.