Days after knocking off top-ranked and defending state champion Riverside City College 37-36, the Golden West College Rustlers moved up five spots to No. 3 in this week's California Community College Football Coaches Association State Poll.
Last week's win against Riverside snapped the Rustlers' three-game losing streak to the Tigers while improving them to 2-0 this season.
For his efforts in helping lead the Rustlers to the win, quarterback Will Burns was named the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division Offensive Player of the Week.
Burns threw for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns on 23 of 45 passing. He also led Golden West rushers with 9 carries for 90 yards. Burns' 12-yard TD pass to Beck Walker with a minute left proved to be the game-winner.
WEEK 3 MATCHUP: SAN DIEGO MESA
Golden West will play its second straight home game on Saturday (Sep. 21) when the Rustlers host San Diego Mesa College in their final tune up before opening National Central League play. Kickoff against the Olympians is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Rustler Stadium in Huntington Beach.
TICKETS | Tickets are available online in advance at the GWC Tickets page.
Ticket prices are as follows:
General Admission - $12
Seniors 60+ - $8
Children 6-12 - $8
All other students - $8
LIVE STREAM | The game will be broadcast live by SoCalCollegeSports on YouTube. Live play-by-play stats will also be available online at the GWC Athletics website.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO MESA | The Olympians are also 2-0 to begin the season. They've won a blowout, 65-0 over San Bernardino Valley in the season opener, and grinded out a 12-8 victory last week over Cerritos.
The Mesa defense has been solid, especially against the run so far. The Olympians allowed just 7 yards rushing last week to Cerritos and accumulated -39 yards against SBVC. Mesa enters the game ranked No. 8 in this week's state poll.
LAST SEASON | In San Diego, the Rustlers cruised to a 28-7 win over the Olympians in Week 3. Caleb Dochnal hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions while Parker Awad threw and ran in for a TD to led the GWC offense. The Rustler defense also totaled 5 sacks.
Golden West has won the last three meeting between the two squads, dating back to 2021. San Diego Mesa edged GWC 27-21 in 2018.
Following this Saturday, the Rustlers travel to East Los Angeles on Sept. 28 to open their National Central League schedule.
