CSM scores 29 unanswered points to maul Foothill

The Bulldogs (2-0 Bay 6, 7-0 overall) outgained Foothill 451-119 in total yards, while holding the Owls to just 2 net rushing yards.

“Did a great job, especially stopping the run ... as well as our sacks,” CSM head coach Tim Tulloch said. “Pressured the quarterback and, other than an early touchdown, we just didn’t give up any yardage and played really well.”

In his first collegiate start, freshman linebacker Veni Wolfgramm led CSM’s defense with nine tackles, including seven solo tackles. Sophomore edge rusher Nate Abbott had two of the Bulldogs’ nine sacks.

“[Abbott] has been phenomenal for us off the edge,” Tulloch said. “He was in the backfield all night.”

Freshman quarterback Luke Alexander made his second straight start, and misfired early when CSM’s second offensive play was intercepted at the Bulldogs’ 45-yard line. Foothill (1-1, 4-3) then used a 27-yard pass from John Larios on third down to extend the drive, before Larios connected with Simison for a 14-yard scoring strike just over five minutes into the game.

Alexander, though, settled down and settled in, going 16-of-29 passing for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

“What I loved was his response to it,” Tulloch said. “He was great from a composure standpoint. Got right back on the field and led us for the rest of the game. ... For his second start, I thought he expanded his pass game. And I thought he did a really good job.”

It was the defense that put the Bulldogs on the board, though.

Early in the second quarter, CSM was forced to punt from midfield, but freshman punter Ethan Ling floated a gem inside the 10-yard yard line that rolled to the 1, where freshman Maulidi Saleh downed it just in from of the goal line.

“Maulidi got his heels to the goal line and protected it, and as the ball rolled he got it right away and downed it on the 1,” Tulloch said.

On the next play, freshman linebacker Jeramiah Lewis dropped a Foothill run in the end zone for a safety.

Alexander later delivered the lead with a 35-yard scoring pass to freshman tight end BJ Thurman to put CSM up 9-7.

Thurman added a 49-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, and finished with three catches for 104 yards.

CSM controlled the ground game as well, with seven different ball carriers gaining positive yards. Sophomore running back Ali Collier totaled 13 carries for a game-high 75 yards, while sophomore Malakhi DeMoss (12 carries, 59 yards) and freshman Dominick Gonzalez (six carries, 52 yards) balanced the attack. Freshman running back Jalen Arnold added two carries for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore kicker Dieter Kelley booted two field goals. His 27-yarder at the end of the first half sent the Bulldogs into the locker room leading 12-7. He added a 22-yard field goal with 5:25 to play to cap the day’s scoring.

Larios (Sequoia) finished 12-of-24 passing for 117 yards and one touchdown in his second start of the year.

CSM remains the best defense in the California Community College Athletic Association, ranking tops with 136.9 yards allowed per game. The Bulldogs have also allowed the third fewest points (96) against a power schedule.

Next up, the Bulldogs return home for a rivalry matchup this Saturday to host City College of San Francisco. Kickoff at College Heights Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.