Saddleback Fulfills Vedder’s Vision of Perfection

Nearly a year ago, Saddleback College quarterback Justin Vedder made a bold prediction for the 1996 football season.

He told a cable television audience that the Gauchos would go undefeated.

During a commercial break, Coach Bill Cunerty told Vedder never to say that again.

Well, Vedder can say it all he wants now after he and defensive back Jake Anderson turned in key performances as Saddleback beat Sacramento, 37-28, in the Capital Shrine Bowl Saturday in front of 4,953 in Sacramento.

The victory completes an undefeated season for Saddleback (11-0), which is ranked second in the nation by the J.C. Grid-Wire and first in California.

Sacramento (10-1) is third in the nation and second in the state.

Vedder was 29 of 48 for 335 yards with three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter. He was sacked four times but had no interceptions and was selected the game’s most valuable player.

His three touchdowns give him a Saddleback career-record 35. The 29 completions were a Saddleback single-game record.

“I say a lot of things, but I had no doubts,” Vedder said of his prediction. “I expected [an undefeated season]. The team knows I didn’t say it just to say it. I meant it.”

Saddleback’s hopes for a national championships hinge on what happens to top-ranked Blinn (Texas) in Saturday’s Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Blinn (11-0), which has won 23 in a row, takes on No. 4 Coffeyville (9-1).

Saddleback led, 15-13, at halftime but Sacramento had two touchdown drives in the third quarter and took a 26-18 lead.

Saddleback’s comeback started when Vedder threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Payne on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 26-24.

Saddleback’s defense held Sacramento on three plays and got the ball at its 49 after a punt.

On the seventh play of the following drive, Vedder threw 24 yards to Payne for the go-ahead touchdown with 12 minutes 23 seconds left.

Saddleback’s two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Gauchos led, 30-26.

Saddleback tight end Kawika Ordenstein had a key 16-yard reception on the drive. He had his biggest game as a Gaucho, catching five passes for 110 yards. His long was 42.

Payne had eight catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. After Payne’s second touchdown, it was Anderson’s turn to shine.

He got an interception, his second of the game, at the Sacramento 42 and raced toward the end zone. He dove across the goal line to avoid a final attempted tackle.

The touchdown put Saddleback ahead, 37-26, with 12:07 left.

“This was the best game I’ve played in my college career,” Anderson said. “I was just trying to follow my blockers. I just tried to dive into the end zone. That was the greatest feeling.”

Pete Campbell also had five catches for 60 yards for Saddleback, which has won 17 consecutive games.

Brendan McGraw led Saddleback in rushing with 42 yards and also had a key 67-yard kickoff return near the end of the first half. It set up a 32-yard field goal by Brett Thompson that put Saddleback ahead, 15-13, on the last play of the half.

“It was a great showcase for community college,” said Cunerty, who was on the field with a camera before the game. “I was really sad before the game and I started to cry. It’s been an incredible journey. I don’t want the sophomores to leave.”