SANTA ANA – The Dons lost their sixth-straight game following their 38-17 loss to visiting Orange Coast College. The Pirates (5-3, 3-1) retained the Victory Flag for the second straight year, marking the first time they've held the flag for back-to-back years. The Dons (1-7, 0-4) were the first team to hold the flag for two years, when they defeated Coast in 2012 and 2013.
The Victory Flag, which features each school's logo with a 'V', was introduced to the rivalry in 2010 to commemorate the 60th meeting between the two teams. The inspiration for the flag comes from the team's individual victory flags from the 1950's.
The Pirates captured the flag by jumping out to an early 21-0 lead by the second quarter. Stefan Derrick scored the first two touchdowns on passes from Mason Dossey before Daniel Rodriguez scored on a one-yard touchdown run.
The Dons answered with a field goal before the half when Jonah Mack hit a 29-yarder before Dorion Barnett caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jason Habash with 4:04 remaining in the third quarter to make the score 21-10.
But Orange Coast extended its lead to 31-10 with the next two scores on another Rodriguez rushing touchdown before Dan Bjurman hit a 29-yard field goal.
The final two scores came in the final two minutes of the game with Connor Burke throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Barnett on a fake reverse before Coast returned the ensuing onside kick attempt 45 yards for a touchdown. Matthew Nelson was the Pirate who scooped up the kick and returned it for the score.
