SANTA ANA - The Santa Ana College football held off a late push by visiting Allan Hancock College to pick up a 28-26 victory in the season opener. Today's game was also the first meeting between these two long-standing programs as the Dons began playing football in 1915 while the Bulldogs first season was in 1927.

The Dons (1-0) held a 21-13 lead going into the fourth quarter and quickly extended it to 28-13 just over two minutes into the fourth. Shane Truelove capped off a 13-play, 99-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Malik Richards.

But the Bulldogs came back with two late touchdowns to make it a game. After scoring on a seven-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-19 (failed extra point) with 8:52 remaining, Allan Hancock scored again on a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown with 4:23 left to cut the score to 28-26.

But the Dons were able to hold off one final drive with less than two minutes to preserve the season-opening victory.

Allan Hancock opened scoring with the only points of the first quarter on a 28-yard field goal before extended its lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter with a 28-yard touchdown pass.

The Dons would answer with two scores before the half, to take a 14-10 lead into the break. The Dons first touchdown came on a 15-yard touchdown reception by Hayden Dunn from Truelove before Jeremy Maxwell returned a fumble 55-yard to put the Dons on top for the first time.

Nathaniel Nicholson had the first points of the second half with a 20-yard touchdown catch from Truelove before the Bulldogs scored on a 25-yard field goal with 7:10 left in the third quarter, setting up the fourth quarter.

Truelove finished the game 16-of-31 passing for 169 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while Tyler Siudzinski led the way rushing with 47 yards on 14 carries. Nicholson led the receivers with four catches for 51 yards.

Defensively, Jose Mora led the way with 13 tackles including one for a loss and one forced fumble. Deion Hart followed with 10 tackles, five solo and five assists.

The star of the game for Allan Hancock College was Willie Iribarren who recorded 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery while playing offense.

The Dons hit the road for their next as they travel to Los Angeles Harbor College next Saturday, September 13 with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.