CSM Bulldogs avenge 2024 loss to Modesto

The College of San Mateo Bulldogs played host to Modesto College in a clash of community college football titans.

Saturday’s clash featured two top-three ranked teams in the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), and, with a 41-21 non-conference victory at College Heights Stadium, the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs (3-0) showed why they’re ranked ahead of the pack. 

The matchup has history. Last year’s CSM team was nearly invincible en route to a 12-1 season and 3C2A state championship, but the key word is “nearly.” The only defeat of their season came in Week 3, with a 23-20 loss at the hands of the Pirates. 

In the first half, it looked like this year’s game could be heading in the same direction, as No. 3 Modesto (2-1) jumped out to a 21-14 lead with a 71-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a 38-yard rushing score from Pirates running back Bryson Davis. The Bulldogs kept themselves alive, tying the game going into halftime with a 1-yard rush from tight end Corey Le’aupepe. 

In the second half, the Bulldogs quickly pulled ahead, with a 13-yard rushing touchdown off a sweep to wide receiver Riley Long, and a 37-yard receiving touchdown from Jack Elgaaen. After a series of 36-yard field goals by No. 36 Dieter Kelly, the Bulldogs put away the game, and secured redemption, a year after their lone loss.

CSM head coach Tim Tulloch, though, said the team isn’t focusing on the past.

“Our goal this week is just to go 1-0, we say it every Monday, we go back to 0-0,” Tulloch said. “The goal is for this team — this team’s quarterback, this team’s O-line, this team’s receiving group, tight ends, this team’s defense and special teams — it’s different. We just want to focus on getting better.”

In the passing game, Bulldogs quarterback Johnny Koett, a 3-star freshman from Vista del Lago-Folsom, completed 16 of 26 passes for 273 yards, and tacked on four touchdowns. Koett put his arm power on display, with five 20-plus yard passes, two of which were touchdowns. 

“Johnny had a great day, he was composed, the offensive line did a great job protecting him, and the offensive line was on point,” Tulloch said. “It gives us the ability to be explosive.”

Koett spread out his passes fairly, as four wide receivers — Jaelin Green, Kenyon Shabazz, Elgaaen and Jeremiah Hill — each picked up receiving touchdowns. In the running game, Malakhi DeMoss led the way, with 23 carries for 99 yards.

“[DeMoss] ran hard,” Tulloch said. “In the running back room here, it’s not how many touchdowns you score, it’s how many tackles you break, and he ran physical, he ran violent, he was able to keep runs alive and make things happen when they weren’t there.”

Up front, the Bulldogs only allowed one sack, against a defensive front that accumulated eight in their first two games behind two-way player Lebron Stallworth, and sophomore defensive lineman Jalonn Booth. 

“They played so well together, they fight so hard together, they fight for their team, they fight for this whole group,” CSM offensive coordinator Mike Dovenburg said. “They did an awesome job, and a couple of those guys are on their first starts, and their first year this year, and I just can’t wait to see what they keep doing.” 

The Pirates sported DayDay Tafoya at quarterback, who the Bulldogs held to completing just 2 of 15 of his passes for 40 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Tafoya transferred from Division II Black Hills State-South Dakota, after starting at El Camino College-Torrence, where he threw for 1,811 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Next week, the Bulldogs head up to Sacramento to take on American River College (0-3), where they’ll attempt to continue their three-game win streak. 

“They’re a top notch opponent with great talent and great coaching, and we’re going to be up on the road at their place, so there’s a whole lot that we have to prepare for,” Tulloch said. “We’ll simply just get back to work, and focus on having a great Monday and getting our plan ready.”