Offense Struggles in Loss at Mount San Antonio

WEST COVINA, Calif. – El Camino College had a rare off night offensively as the Warriors suffered a 32-18 National Central Conference loss to Mount San Antonio College on Saturday night at Covina District Field.

The Warriors (4-3, 1-1) came in to Saturday's matchup having scored 298 points in its first six games but were held under 20 for the second time this season and did not find the end zone until the opening play of the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Cole Klayman still flirted with 300 yards passing on an off night, going 18-for-39 for 289 yards and a touchdown but the Mounties (5-2, 1-1) defense picked off the Warriors quarterback three times, matching his total for the season coming into Saturday's game. He was also sacked three times by the Mounties.

Mike Mason led the Warriors defensively with seven tackles including one for a loss and Shawn Richard added six tackles (three solo). Saturday's game also marked just the second time this season the Warriors defense did not register a takeaway.

Neither team found the end zone in the first half as the Mounties took a 9-3 lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to kicker Andrew Rodriguez, who would go on to finish the night going 6-for-6 on field goals.

The Mounties scored 19 straight points to take a 22-3 lead into the fourth but Klayman and the high-powered ECC offense finally broke through on the first play of the final period as Damien Bernard hauled in a pass from Klayman and scampered 77 yards down the middle of the field for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 22-11 after the two-point conversion.

But it proved to be too late as the Mounties tacked on a field goal on the ensuing drive and then Lamar Dawson picked off Klayman at the goal line to put an end to a 15-play drive that moved the Warriors to the Mounties 20.

Mount San Antonio would drive it 52 yards on six plays on the ensuing drive, capping off the march with a seven-yard TD rush by Hykeem Massey to put the hosts up 32-11 and put the game away.

The Warriors will return to action on Saturday as they welcome Riverside to Murdock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.