No. 2 Rustlers Hold Off Pasadena 28-21, Improve to 6-0

PASADENA – No. 2 state-ranked Golden West College was challenged once again but the Rustlers were able to hold on for a 28-21 National Central League win at No. 17 Pasadena City College on Thursday night.

With the win, Golden West improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Central League play. The Rustlers are off to their best start on the field since 2015.

The game was close in the opening half. The Rustlers' defense got the game's first points thanks to a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown by Drew Faulkner in the first quarter and a one-yard touchdown run by Kendric Thomas just moments before halftime.

GWC was up 14-7 at the break before the Rustlers added a pair of TDs in the third quarter that proved to be the difference.

Making his second start of the season, quarterback Kauna'oa Kamakawiwo'ole tossed a 43-yard touchdown pass to JD Alicea at the 13:12 mark and Ardwon Morris closed out a six-play drive with e three-yard TD run to give the Rustlers a commanding 28-7 lead.

But Pasadena City (3-3, 1-2 NCL) rallied for a pair of touchdowns passes from quarterback Xavier Buckles, including a four-yarder to Jagg Richer with 8:27 to play in the fourth, to cut the lead to seven points.

On the Rustlers' ensuing drive, the Lancers blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt to give them the ball back with 4:42 remaining, starting at their own 20-yard line. PCC got as far as their own 32-yard line before Buckles was intercepted for the third time in the game, this one by John Bivens, that sealed the Rustlers' victory.

Taeden Rodgers had GWC's other interception. Brandon Soleau led the defense with 12 tackles and Nigel Mills added 7 tackles.

On the offensive side of the ball, Kamakawiwo'ole completed 18 of 27 passes for 281 yards wit a TD and interception. He also ran eight times for 34 yards. Aaron Mitchell led Golden West on the ground with 11 carries for 83 yards.

Alicea was the Rustlers' top receiver with five catches for 104 yards with a TD.

Golden West will now have some extended time off until its next contest. The Rustlers are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 18 when they travel to rival Orange Coast College for the 55^th meeting of the "Battle of the Bell" game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa.