Community College Football : Saddleback Has Home Win Streak Snapped

History repeated itself in reverse Saturday night at Saddleback College Field, taking with it the Gauchos’ 49-game home winning streak.

Riverside College stopped Saddleback four times from inside the Tigers’ five-yard line in the final minute to preserve a 21-16 Mission Conference victory before 1,500 spectators.

The loss also ended the top-ranked Gauchos’ 14-game winning streak over two seasons.

In 1984, Riverside had a chance to beat Saddleback in Mission Viejo but could not score in four tries from the Gaucho three and lost, 23-18.

The Tigers (3-0, 4-0) took the lead, 21-16, with 11:57 left in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard touchdown pass play from quarterback Keith Widener to Mike Moore. Widener was 12 of 21 for 189 yards and 1 touchdown. He has yet to throw an interception this season after throwing 17 last season.

Widener had scored on a one-yard run and Tommy Thomas scored on a 59-yard run earlier in the third quarter to bring the Tigers back from a 16-0 deficit.

After stopping the Tigers on downs the Gauchos mounted their final drive. Quarterback Pat Hegarty was 4 of 6 for 64 yards to get the Gauchos to the five with 1:21 left. Hegarty was stopped twice for no gain before John Jungkeit dove forward for four yards, setting up fourth-and-goal on the one.

Hegarty kept the ball on a sweep left but was smothered by the Tiger defense with 37 seconds left.

The Gaucho defense, very effective in the first half, helped Saddleback (2-1, 3-1) open a 9-0 lead at the end of the first half.

Saddleback sophomore defensive back Jeff Kelly blocked a punt in the first quarter on the goal line and caused a safety. Riverside punter Vic Hernandez flipped the ball out of the end zone, so the Gauchos had no chance to recover.

The Gauchos drove 46 yards in seven plays in the final two minutes of the half.

On fourth-and-goal on the one, Hegarty kept the ball and although his body was held out of the end zone he was able to reach the ball in for the score.

RIVERSIDE 21, SADDLEBACK 16

S--Safety punt blocked out of end zone

S--Hegarty 1 run (Roberson kick)

S--Hegarty 2 run (Roberson kick)

R--Thomas 59 run (Kelly pass from Widener)

R--Widener 1 run (pass failed)

R--Moore 41 pass from Widener (Hernandez kick)

Attendance--1,500

In other Mission Conference action:

San Diego Mesa 31, Rancho Santiago 19--San Diego Mesa quarterback Jeff Sturch threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns in the victory at Santa Ana Stadium.

James Shipp ran 62 yards for a touchdown for Rancho Santiago (1-2 in conference, 2-2 overall). Mesa is 2-1, 2-1-1.

SAN DIEGO MESA 31,

RANCHO SANTIAGO 19 RS--FG Willis 34

M--Rogers 2 run (Russell kick)

M--FG Russell 27

RS--Cook 1 run (Willis kick)

M--Mitchell 9 pass from Sturch (Russell kick)

RS--FG Willis 22

M--Williams 40 run (Russell kick)

RS--Shipp 62 run (pass failed)

M--Mitchell 9 pass from Sturch (Russell kick)