CSM Bulldogs fall short in Modesto

“Definitely tip your cap to the Modesto Pirates,” CSM head coach Tim Tulloch said. “They did a great job in all three phases. ... They played better than we did. They executed better than we did when it came right down to it.”

Sophomore running back Lolo Mataele was a workhorse for CSM, carrying 26 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. The Bulldog offense could muster little else, however, as Modesto outgained them 382-240 on the afternoon.

The ’Dogs (2-1) made it close, though, responding to a 23-9 deficit with 12 unanswered points. Freshman kicker Dieter Kelly boomed a 50-yard field goal just before the half. Then Mataele scored his second TD of the day on a 15-yard run midway through the third quarter — capped with a two-point conversion pass from Conner Stoddard to Simon Map — to bring CSM to within 3.

Then the Modesto defense went to work, pinning the Bulldogs deep in their own territory on each of their last four possessions, each of which ended inside the 20.

“They did a good job of keeping us down there,” Tulloch said. “It was one of those slug-fest, heavyweight fights. It was a battle. It was a physical game. And they came out on top.”

Paced by sophomore linebacker Jesus Aguilar, the Pirates totaled nine tackles for a loss, including four sacks. Aguilar tabbed his first two sacks of the year, with the second one proving the dagger for the Bulldogs.

With Stoddard making his collegiate debut, CSM was facing fourth-and-5 from its own 21 with two minutes to play when Aguilar got to CSM’s freshman quarterback to force a fumble at the 16. The Pirates dove on it and proceeded to run out the clock.

Stoddard won the Week 3 start after freshman Conner Annicharico started CSM’s first two games. Stoddard was 12-of-20 passing for a ho-hum 65 yards.

“That kid’s a warrior,” Tulloch said. “I was so proud of Stoddard and how he carried himself, and how he led the team. He’s an inspirational young man. ... He’s a tough, tough young man, and I’m proud of how he fought throughout the game.”

Modesto quarterback Luke Weaver was 13-of-24 passing for 213 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The sophomore went to work to move the Pirates downfield on each of their first two possessions, producing a 35-yard field goal from Manuel Duran to get on the board, and a 41-yard scoring run by sophomore Lyon Colon to jump ahead 10-0.

Modesto’s next possession ended in CSM’s first points of the day, as the Bulldogs blocked a punt in the end zone for a safety to make it 10-2. But Weaver fired back, capping the Pirates’ next possession with back-to-back 25-yard passes, including a scoring strike to sophomore Malachi Butler to make it 17-2.

CSM took possession with favorable field position after a Jeremiah Hill kickoff return to the Bulldogs’ 45. Then Mataele gave his offense its first tempo of the day, grinding for runs of 10, 4, 5 and 12 yards before pounding in a 4-yard touchdown. But Weaver and Pirates were undeterred, answering back with a eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive — including two third-down pickups by Weaver; a 12-yard pass across midfield, followed by a 10-yard scramble — before connecting with sophomore Joey Stout for a 30-yard touchdown to up the lead to 23-9.

The CSM defense found its footing from there, keeping Modesto off the scoreboard for the final 31 minutes of the game.

“When you shut out a team like Modesto, you shut them out for two quarters, you can build from that,” Tulloch said.

Mataele’s big 23-yard pickup across midfield on third-and-1 helped set up Kelly’s 50-yard field-goal wallop just before the half.

Modesto’s defense was breathing down Stoddard’s neck for most of the second half, however, including two fourth-quarter sacks.

“We have to do a better job protecting him and give him a chance to execute in our pass game,” Tulloch said.

CSM punted from its own 18 on its final possession of the third quarter. Then in the fourth, the Bulldogs punted from their own 12 on a three-and-out, then turned it over on downs at their own 7 after Stoddard was sacked by freshman linebacker Alijah Cota on third-down, and Nate Abbott was stopped for a 3-yard pickup on fourth-and-7.

CSM’s defense held the line, and freshman cornerback Trevon Watson intercepted a fourth-down pass at the Bulldogs’ 2. But a first-down pickup on a 5-yard run by Mataele on third-and-1 from the 11 was all the offense CSM mustered in the closing minutes.

“It was an uphill climb due to field position,” Tulloch said.

Modesto — ranking fourth in the state in total yards — has now outscored opponents 118-51 through three games this season.

The Bulldogs return home this Saturday to host American River College in non-conference action. Kickoff at College Heights Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.