Bulldogs begin title defense with 37-34 come-from-behind win at Sierra

ROCKLIN – Defending state champion College of San Mateo was tested in its 2023 season opener at Sierra College on Saturday, but the Bulldogs proved to be up to the challenge.

Despite building a 20-0 halftime lead, CSM had to rally late to pull out the come-from-behind win.

Sierra tied up the game with 8:57 remaining in the fourth quarter and went out in front of the Bulldogs 34-30 with 2:45 to play after a six-play, 75-yard drive.

Down by four, freshman quarterback Anthony Grigsby directed the go-ahead five-play, 55-yard drive to secure the Bulldogs' victory. Starting from his own 45-yard line, Grigsby completed three straight passes while a one-yard run by Nate Sanchez put the ball at the Sierra 18-yard line.

On second-and-nine, Grigsby dropped back and connected with Jeremiah Patterson for the game-winning 18-yard touchdown.

Sierra had one final chance to put together a comeback of its own, but on its first play of the drive, Max Dickson iced the CSM win by intercepting Cruz Herrera's pass at the Sierra 25-yard line with 56 seconds left.

Grigsby had an impressive debut for the Bulldogs, throwing a pair of touchdowns while running for another. His three-yard TD run on CSM's first drive opened the game's scoring.

Ja'ir Smith made it a 14-0 contest after his 35-yard interception return for a touchdown at the 7:03 mark in the second. Lolo Mataele ran in for a one-yard TD to make it 20-0 with 26 seconds before halftime.  

Both teams scored touchdowns in the third before Sierra put up 27 points in the fourth. But the Bulldogs were able to withstand the surge and secure the win.

Patterson also had a big game for CSM as he totaled 7 receptions for 129 yards. Nate Sanchez led the Bulldogs on the ground with 19 rushes for 78 yards.

On defense, Malini Ti'a, Fynn Williams, and Malakai Hoeft all totaled 6 tackles each.

CSM returns to action next Saturday (Sep. 9) at 1:00 pm when the Bulldogs host College of the Sequoias in its home opener.