The Fresno City College Rams faced a difficult opponent as the College of the Sequoias paid a visit to Ratcliff Stadium on Oct. 30. The Giants, who forced four turnovers and two safeties throughout the game, held on for a 26-17 victory.
The Rams struck first in the game when quarterback Lance Orender found wide receiver A.J. Castillo open for a 64-yard touchdown that gave the Rams an early 7-0 lead.
The Giants gained good field position on the following return with a reverse play. The Rams’ defense was able to keep COS out of the endzone, holding the Giants to a field goal for a 7-3 lead. FCC reclaimed those three points on the following drive with a field goal to take a 10-3 lead.
In the following drive by the Rams, Giants defensive back Miguel Rodriguez intercepted a pass intended for Rams wide receiver Corvaughn Archie. Giants quarterback Phillip Brandt then completed a pass to wide receiver Jeremy Butler for a 53-yard touchdown. The Giants failed to convert the PAT and the Rams still found themselves in the lead 10-9.
After the start of the second quarter, the Rams gained seven points with a pass to wide receiver Trent Hicks and a PAT made by Jake Reimer, setting the score at 17-9.
After a shoulder injury took Archie out of the game for the Rams, a pass interference call by the Giants set the Rams deep in COS territory. Later in the drive, Orender threw an interception in the end zone as Giants defensive back Kenneth Spigner intercepted a pass intended for Castillo. The Giants sixth drive then brought a close to the first half of play.
The Giants opened the second half and after a short drive, punted the ball away to FCC. FCC’s possession was a quick one as well as Giants defensive lineman Kyle Bell made a tackle in the end zone for a safety.
The teams traded possession of the ball again, leading to another FCC possession close to their own end zone. The Giants defense once again followed up with another safety bringing the score to 17-13.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Giants performed a quarterback sneak, gaining a touchdown. After making the extra point the score was 20-17.
Setting themselves up on the 49-yard line after a punt from the Giants, the Rams found themselves on the fourth down. Going for it, the Giants stopped them.
With less than 30 seconds of game time left, the Rams made one final drive to try and force overtime or come away with the victory. Orender was intercepted by COS defender Rodriguez, who returned the ball in for a score to secure the 26-17 victory against the Rams.
The Rams gained a total of 271 offensive yards in 61 plays. Orender threw for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Castillo ran for 108 yards, and 1 touchdown.
The next game is Nov. 6, in Stockton at San Joaquin Delta College at 1:00 p.m.
