SANTA ANA, Calif. - After two weather delays and only 36 minutes of game action, the contest between the Dons (2-4, 1-0) and LA Southwest (0-6, 0-1) was called in the third quarter with Santa Ana on top, 49-6.
There was plenty of action within the shortened game as the Dons scored 49 points with three different quarterbacks getting reps.
Dallen Engemann got the start and went 13-17 with 120 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. After throwing a pick on his first drive, Engemann locked in to put together two straight scoring drives.
With 13:10 on the clock, Engemann led the Dons on their first scoring drive that lasted 11 plays for 83 yards and ended with a 10-yard touchdown to Kyran Hayes. On the next drive, the Dons went 50 yards for another touchdown, this time with Cannon King catching a five yard pass from Engemann to go up 14-0.
The Cougars responded to that with a touchdown of their own on a 20-yard pass from Michael Franklin to Travion Watson. Following a failed two-point conversion, the score was 14-6.
After a couple of empty possessions from both teams to end the first quarter, Santa Ana inserted quarterback Ceasar Ayala who played his best football of the season. Ayala threw for four touchdowns and 273 yards while only failing to connect on two passes (13-15).
Ayala led the Dons to touchdowns on four consecutive drives in the second quarter, SAC a 42-6 lead at halftime.
The last Don touchdown came in the third quarter with Beck Moss connecting with Tyler Hampton for a 16-yard catch to conclude the big offensive night.
At the end of the night, Kyran Hayes recorded nine catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns. Cannon King had a good night with five receptions, 48 yards and two touchdowns.
The running game was led by Jamiel Henning, who finished with 63 yards on just eight carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, Blaze Iglesias came to play as he posted a team high five with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Gabriel Magana and Baden Tanikawa collected three tackles each.
SAC's defensive performance was a collective effort as they held the Cougars to just 32 yards of total offense while recording seven sacks between eight players.
The Dons will take their two game win streak on the road next week as they match up with No. 18/22 Citrus (CCCSIA/JCAB Polls) in another American Metro League game. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 22nd.
