No. 8 Rustlers cruise to 45-7 rout at No. 22 Citrus

GLENDORA – Quarterback Will Burns turned in another impressive performance, throwing 3 touchdowns while running for another to help lead No. 8 state-ranked Golden West College to a 45-7 National Central League victory at No. 22 Citrus College on Saturday night.

The Rustlers were relentless on offense while the defense played just as spectacular.

After the defense held Citrus to just three plays on the opening drive of the game, the Rustlers offense marched down the field to score after a long 10-play, 52-yard drive of its own. Burns ran for 18 yards on the Rustlers' first play to set the tone for the game.

Javon Taylor made his way in from a yard out to open the scoring for GWC at the 9:49 mark in the first and the rout was on.

Burns tossed a 7-yard touchdown to Kieran Klingsberg to make it a 14-0 lead in the first before Golden West blew the game open in the second. The Rustlers found the end zone three times in the quarter, getting touchdown runs from Beck Walker (5 yards), and Burns (10 yards), as well as a 14-yard TD pass from Burns to Colin Payne to take a 35-0 lead into halftime.

After a scoreless third, Bryce Whitley hauled in a 21-yard TD reception from Burns to open the fourth quarter to make it a 42-0 lead.

Citrus (2-3, 0-2 NCL) finally broke up the shutout after grinding out 12-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard TD pass from Koy Riggin to Sean Persson with 8:20 to go in the game.

GWC added a 33-yard field goal from Noel Vallejo with 3:29 remaining to close out the scoring.

Burns ended his day completing 10 of 17 passes for 146 yards with 3 TDs. He also ran 8 times for 64 yards and a score. Walker had 14 carries for 49 yards.

While the Rustlers offense was putting up the points, the defense held Citrus to just 155 total yards. Including an amazing -8 yards rushing. The defense compiled 4 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, and had an interception.

GWC got sacks from Javon Taylor, Daniel Viramontes, K'son Mika, and Andrew Jordan while Vallejo came up with the interception.  

The Rustlers are 2-0 to open league play and 4-1 overall heading into next week's bye. After a pair of narrow wins and a loss to open the season, Golden West has outscored its last two opponents by a combine 94-14 margin.

With the upcoming bye, the Rustlers will have and extra week to prepare for the annual "Battle of the Bell" rivalry game against Orange Coast College on a special day, Thursday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Rustler Stadium.

Golden West defeated Orange Coast 58-9 last season and has won the last 11 of 12 meetings, including seven straight.