SANTA ANA - After seeing their once commanding 24-7 lead erased to just four points, the Dons used two touchdowns in the final 5:19 to win their first win of the season, defeating College of the Desert 38-20 in a non-conference win at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Dons struck first with an 11-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Lawce from Hayden Gavett on the first drive of the game. SAC held that lead until the final minutes of the first quarter when Nephi Garcia capped off a six-play, 50-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.

What followed was three-straight scores by the Dons starting with a 37-yard field goal by Dillan Freiberg at 12:47 in the second quarter, giving the Dons a 10-7 lead. Then, following a Roadrunners turnover, the Dons extended their lead to 17-7 moments before half time when Gavett threw his second touchdown pass of the half. This time he found Areseo Lakey who scored from 27-yards out.

The Dons scoring run was capped off halfway through the third quarter Brett Hurley broke a tackle at the goal line to score a 19-yard touchdown, giving the Dons a 24-7 lead.

However, Desert would rally with a two-yard touchdown run by Tyewan Johnson late in the third quarter before a pair of Anthony Wood field goals (41-yards and 21-yards) pulled Desert within four at 24-20 with 7:35 remaining in the game.

The rally would end there with Lakey running in a score from three-yards out before Allen Atkins sealed the victory with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:31 left.

Lakey led the way for the Dons with 91 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown while adding the 27-yard reception touchdown. Joshua Webb led the Dons with 79 receiving yards on five catches while Gavett finished 13-for-21 for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Next week, the Dons return to the road to take on Moorpark College on Saturday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m.