SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana College Football team secured their first bowl game win since 2012 as they defeated College of the Desert (6-5) in the 2023 Southern California Bowl by a score of 56-48 on Sunday evening. 

The Dons (9-2) looked unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball as they put up 726 total offensive yards, which is just shy of the program record of 744 set in 1924.

Malachi Pierce was a big part of the success as the freshman wideout posted eight receptions, four touchdowns and 219 yards. Pierce was voted the Most Valuable Player of the game after his dominant performance.The standout from Edison High now leads the state in touchdown catches with 18, which also breaks a school record set by Derrick Barnes (15) in 2000.

FB: Malachi Pierce scores his second touchdown of the day to put the Dons up 14-7.#SACDons pic.twitter.com/1nmsnqePwZ

— SAC Dons (@SACDons) November 20, 2023

Santa Ana played both of their sophomore quarterbacks a healthy amount once again. Beck Moss got the start in this one and finished 13-of-18 with 237 yards, four touchdowns and interception. Dallen Engemann had an efficient night going 10-of-13 in the air for 169 yards and two touchdowns himself. 

Cannon King joined Pierce with over 100 yards of receiving to go with six catches and a touchdown. 

The Dons also had the run game going with two backs rushing for over 100 yards. Owen Smith ran for a season high 187 yards to go with two touchdowns while Jackson Smith recorded 101 yards on just nine touches. 

Although the Dons defense gave up 48 points, they got timely stops in key possessions of the game. 

Cole Miller and Baden Tanikawa led the effort as both linebackers collected a team high seven tackles. Evan Palady and Marquell Mitchell were part of a trio that recorded five tackles while Blaze Iglesias joined them after only playing the second half. 

After a convincing win for the Dons in the matchup just eight days prior, the Roadrunners made this one a lot more interesting. 

With 14:13 left in the fourth quarter, COD cut the deficit to seven (49-42) following a fourth down conversion and a two yard touchdown run by Jelani Brown. 

The Dons responded well with an eight play, 75 yard touchdown drive that ate up four minutes and 17 seconds on the ensuing possession. The clock was a huge factor as the Roadrunners scored once more, bringing the score to 56-48 after Iglesias blocked the extra point kick. 

COD needed to come up with possession on the onside kick but could not as the Dons were expecting it with just 2:18 left on the clock, which put an end to the comeback attempt. 

SAC finished with nine wins, the most they've had since 2010 and will return a good core of freshmen for the 2024 season.