The Fullerton College Hornet football team won 38-36 against Riverside College despite six turnovers. Going into the game, played Saturday at Yorba Linda High School, the Tigers were ranked first in Southern
California and the Hornets (5-0, 1-0) second.

The Hornet defense kept the game close as the Tigers were only able to score six points off the Hornets’ six turnovers.

The defense was led by Justin Owens, a sophomore linebacker who had 20 tackles, three for a loss, plus a sack and a forced fumble.

“We have a really strong defense,” Owens said. “We made some big plays, and the offense made some big plays when we needs it most.”

Four of the Hornets’ turnovers came in the first half, but they only ended the second quarter down 22-18.

“We need to limit the turnovers,” said Hornet Coach Tim Byrnes. “For us to beat the number one team despite of all of these turnovers really shows how special of a team we are. However, we can’t keep turning the ball over like this and expect to win.”

Still down 22-18 heading into the fourth quarter, it appeared the Hornets were going to kick a 46-yard field goal to cut the deficit to one.

However, the Riverside defense lost track of Hornet wide receiver Ryan Longoria, who was standing inbounds right along the sidelines. The holder, Dustin Stolarski, pulled the ball back right before Casey Eyman could kick it and hit Longoria down the sideline with nobody near him. He ran it in the rest of the way for a 29-yard touchdown.

Longoria also scored the deciding touchdown on an 18-yard catch, with only 26 seconds remaining. He finished the game with eight catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was cool to have a game like this against such a good team,” said Longoria. “It was not just me though. Eli [Pleasant] made some big plays, and so did a lot of other guys.”

With the win, the Hornets hope to be the top ranked team in Southern California.

FC’s next game will be Saturday against Saddleback, at 6 p.m., at Yorba Linda High school.

The Hornets don’t want to look past Saddleback, but can’t help planning their future.

“This team is going undefeated,” Longoria said. “Unless we absolutely beat ourselves, there is not a team that can beat us.”