SANTA ANA - While many people might have guessed the outcome of today's game between the Dons and Golden West College, few people could have guessed how that outcome was reached.
The Dons (6-2, 3-1) needed a final-minute touchdown catch by Joshua Webb to claim a 28-21 victory over the Rustlers (2-6, 0-4) after Golden West controlled most of the first half and parts of the second half.
After the two teams played to a 21-21 tie, Beau Perry found Webb in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown. It was the second game in a row that Webb caught a touchdown in the final minute.
Against Orange Coast last week, Webb caught the game-tying touchdown as time expired. Webb found himself in the end zone with the ball again as time expired, but this week it was on an interception as he sealed the Dons 28-21 victory.
The Dons were forced to come-from-behind once again as the Rustlers established a 14-0 lead at halftime by using surprise on-side kicks while controlling the clock.
After recovering the opening on-side kick, the Rustlers took five minutes to drive 38 yards for the opening score. On the drive, Golden West converted two fourth downs, including a 15-yard touchdown run by Dupree Roberts-Jordan.
Golden West attempted a second on-side kick on the ensuing kickoff, recovering it once again. That drive, however, did not result in any points. It wasn't until the second quarter when Ruben Ortega scored on a one-yard touchdown run to put the Rustlers up 14-0.
When the two teams reached the half, Golden West had controlled the ball for over 21 minutes while running 39 plays compared to just 18 plays for the Dons.
The Dons, however, came out strong in the second half led by Areseo Lakey. By the end of the third quarter, the Dons found themselves up 21-14 with Lakey scoring on two, one-yard touchdown runs with a third touchdown run from two-yards out.
But Golden West wasn't done either as they opened the fourth quarter with a six-yard touchdown run by Roberts-Jordan to tie the game at 21-21 with 10:39 remaining in the game. Finally, Webb ended the game with his late touchdown grab.
Webb again led the Dons receivers despite making just four catches. He finished with 78 yards, the touchdown and the interception. Lakey proved to be this week's workhorse as he rushed for 120 yards on 34 carries with three touchdowns.