CSM takes care of business in JUCO football playoff opener

The game remained deadlocked through its early stages as the Bulldogs got on the board with a pair of field goals from sophomore kicker Dieter Kelly, while the Rams evened the score with a 59-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Bowe Farmer. The Rams bobbled the snap on the extra point, leaving the game tied at 6, before the Bulldogs pulled ahead with a 2-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Jalen Arnold mere seconds before halftime. 

After the half, the Bulldogs never looked back. CSM forced a fumble on Fresno’s first offensive play of the second half, which was recovered by sophomore defensive lineman Malaki Ross-Green. The Bulldogs capitalized offensively, and Arnold added his second touchdown of the day, rushing for an 11-yard score. 

“The score right before the half and the fumble recovery and score coming out of the half was a big 14-point swing in our favor,” CSM head coach Tim Tulloch said. “It grabbed momentum, and we never let go of it.” 

Despite the Rams putting together a 75-yard drive which ended in a 6-yard touchdown to freshman tight end Jackie Burden, the Bulldogs remained firmly in control.

CSM sealed the victory with a 34-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end B.J. Thurman for his team-leading sixth receiving touchdown of the season, and a 13-yard rushing touchdown from sophomore running back Malaki DeMoss.

DeMoss, who put up a 188-yard performance when the Rams and Bulldogs met earlier in the season, had 72 rushing yards and a touchdown in his first game since Oct. 25. 

“[DeMoss] is explosive, he’s electric, every time he touches the ball he’s got a chance to break it and score. It’s huge to have his impact back on the field,” Tulloch said. 

The Bulldogs featured a two-pronged rushing attack, with DeMoss and running back Dominick Gonzalez, who accounted for 94 yards on 13 attempts. 

In the passing game, Bulldogs quarterback Luke Alexander went 16 for 28 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander struggled initially, throwing an interception midway through the second quarter, before recovering and throwing for 67 yards and a touchdown in the second half. 

“We had stuff we missed in the first half, I missed some reads in the first half,” Alexander said. “We came out in the second half and we executed a lot better.

As usual, the state’s best defense put on a show, with two takeaways at crucial points in the game. Along with the fumble recovery deep in the Rams’ territory, the Bulldogs had a stroke of luck after a pass intended for Fresno City wide receiver Ray Brown bounced into the hands of Bulldogs sophomore defensive back Kyle Hall. 

As the No. 1 seed in the Northern California playoffs, the Bulldogs went into their clash with Fresno City on a three-week bye. Tulloch said the bye gave his team the opportunity to prepare further before the game. 

“It gives you an opportunity to heal up and get fresh, and I think it’s all in how you use it and how you manage that time,” Tulloch said. “Our guys went to work, and it got us prepared and ready for this game.” 

The Bulldogs will host the Modesto Pirates — a familiar opponent — at College Heights Stadium in the 3C2A Northern California finals this Saturday.

“[We need to] stay together, stay as a unit,” Thurman said. “When we’re down, we’re down together. When we’re up, we’re up together, and we win and lose together.”