BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. –The Golden West College football team hit the road to Bakersfield College during week four of the football season and came away with a 20-19 last minute victory.  

Clinging to a 20-13 lead late in the fourth quarter the Rustler (2-2) defense had a chance to clinch the win on a fourth down and ten at the Golden West 21-yard line, but Bakersfield (1-3) would convert on a 12 yard scramble by their quarterback. With that momentum the Renegades would score four plays later and they would choose to go for the win rather than go for the tie and head to overtime. The stout defense from Golden West was up to the task as they would force an incomplete pass to seal the victory. 

Both teams opened the game with a first quarter touchdown for a 7-7 tie heading into the second quarter. The Rustlers used an impressive 12-play, 75 yard drive that took just over six minutes for quarterback Nathaniel Espinoza to connect with wide out David Atencio from 17-yards out. Bakersfield would take the lead 10 -7 after a first half that featured three Golden West turnovers. 

The second half picked up for both teams with the Rustlers starting off a scoring drive that culminated with a 3-yard touchdown run by Alex Pourdanesh to lead by four points with ten minutes left to play in the third quarter. A Renegades drive stalled as they settled for a 38-yard field goal to cut the lead to just one. 

The eventual game winning touchdown came from the Golden West defense when Seau Amor would pick-off a pass from Bakersfield and run 15 yards for the touchdown. The Rustlers would miss the PAT which added to the final minutes theatrical finish. 

The Golden West defense held Bakersfield to 227 yards of total offense, three sacks, and the one big interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for Amor.

Next: Golden West will host College of the Canyons on Saturday October 5th for a 1pm kickoff.