Defense comes through late to secure 14-7 CSM win over Fresno City

SAN MATEO – No. 6 state-ranked College of San Mateo continues to find ways to win close games. This week, it was the Bulldogs' defense that came to the rescue in a narrow 14-7 victory over No. 3 Fresno City College on Saturday at College Heights Stadium.

Holding that 14-7 lead late in the fourth quarter, the San Mateo defense halted a pair of Fresno City drives deep in CSM territory with huge interceptions.

With 7:48 to go in the fourth, the Rams took over on downs and began their drive from their own 33 yard line. Fresno City used a solid mix of rushes and passes to move the ball downfield, eventually getting to the CSM 10-yard line. But the Bulldogs held steady after a pair of incomplete passes and a run stopped for no gain. On fourth and goal, FCC's quarterback Ryan Markarian's pass was intercepted by Kyle Hall in the end zone and returned 17 yards to end the first Fresno City threat.

 Three plays later on the ensuing CSM drive, Lolo Mataele fumbled the ball at the San Mateo 32-yard line to give the Rams excellent field position with 1:52 left in the game.

After a pair of incomplete passes, the Bulldogs' secondary once again came up with a huge play. Markarian's pass was picked off, this time by Mckyle So'oto at the CSM 10-yard line to once turn away the Rams and secure the win. The Bulldogs were to run out the clock to end the game.

All of Saturday's scoring came in the second quarter. Fresno went ahead 7-0 after a 14-yard touchdown pass from Markarian to Nahzae Cox at the 14:52 mark.

San Mateo tied up the game with 10:12 to go in the second, getting a big 38-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Dominic Ingrassia to Nico Caruso.

And the Bulldogs scored what proved to be the game-winner with 1:55 to play before halftime. Ingrassia led CSM on a 9-play, 48-yard drive that was capped by Malakhi DeMoss' 4-yard touchdown run.

The score held up as the CSM defense kept Fresno City off the scoreboard over the final 30 minutes.

John Gayer led the San Mateo defense with 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, and he also broke up a pass. Andrew Buck also had 6 tackles while Albert Tuakalu and Pita Vi were in on sacks.

Ingrassia had an efficient day, completing 12 of 19 passes for 123 yards and a TD with no interceptions. KB Boone-Nelson led with 4 receptions for 52 yards.

Dieter Kelly, who tied a school-record with a 51-yard field goal last week, attempted a 52-yarder late in the third quarter but his line drive kick was short.

CSM improved the 4-1 overall with the win. Three of the Bulldogs' four victories have come by margins of 7 points or less. Fresno City picked up its first loss of the season and fell to 4-1.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday (Oct. 18) when they open National Bay 6 League play at Diablo Valley College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Viking Stadium in Pleasant Hill.