SANTA ANA - The Dons dropped their Southern Conference opener to visiting Saddleback College 37-14. The loss drops the Dons to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference while the Gauchos improve to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference.

Saddleback posted five-straight scores to jump out to a 27-0 lead by the 10:07 mark of the third quarter. The Gauchos scores came on a 15-yard touchdown pass, a seven-yard touchdown pass, a one-yard touchdown run and a pair of field goals from 45 and 40-yards apiece.

The Dons finally broke the shutout with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter when Jeremy Maxwell returned an interception 48-yards for a touchdown. After a Saddleback rushing touchdown made the game 34-7, the Dons got their second score on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Becerra to Dorion Barnett. The final score of the game came on a 42-yard field goal by Saddleback's Aaron Ball, his third of the game.

The Dons remain home for their next game as they host Chaffey College next Saturday, October 10 with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m.