HUNTINGTON BEACH – A 59-yard kickoff return by Tru Tanner set up Golden West College's game-winning drive as the Rustlers erased a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat visiting Citrus College by a final score of 31-21 on Saturday at the GWC Football Field.

The National Central League win improved Golden West to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league play while Citrus dropped to 3-2 and 0-2.

The Rustlers build a 17-6 halftime lead after getting a 22-yard touchdown reception from Parker Awar to Tanner in the first quarter, a 25-yard Jae'Sean Pete TD run in the second, and a 27-yard field goal by Jad Othman just moments before the break.

But Golden West saw that lead disappear in the third. Citrus responded with a pair of touchdowns along with a two-point conversion to take a 21-17 lead over Golden West into the fourth quarter.

But on the ensuing kickoff after the Owls' final TD, Tanner started from his own 8-yard line and raced down the left sideline 59 yards to the Citrus 33-yard line. Three plays later, Ralph Ekechi ran in from 13 yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.

Pete iced the Golden West victory with an 11-yard TD run with 11:06 remaining in the game. The Rustlers' defense kept Citrus off the board in the fourth to close out the contest.

The Golden West offense was efficient, collecting 372 total yards. Pete led GWC on the ground with 11 carries for 75 yards and 2 TDs. Ekechi ran in a touchdown while running for 48 yards on 10 rushes.

Awad threw for 125 yards on 6 of 13 passing with a TD and interception. Dasani McIntosh caught 4 passes for 75 yards, Nate Jimenez had 4 receptions for 72 yards, and Tanner had 2 catches for 35 yards and a TD.

Marquis Brown led the defense with 9 tackles while Harrison Cofell totaled 8 tackles. Brogan DeAsis had the Rustlers' lone sack in the contest to go with 5 tackles.

Golden West will get a break from action next week with a bye and returns to the field on Oct. 12 when the Rustlers travel to rival Orange Coast College for a 6 p.m. National Central League game.