No. 6 Southwestern outlasts No. 18 San Diego Mesa, 40 - 38 in third overtime
CHULA VISTA, CA – Week 5 was a statement game for the Southwestern Jaguars (5-0). A quick glance at the final score is insufficient to fully understand the reality of the outcome.
Southwestern racked up 561 yards of total offense. The offensive line controlled the point of attack, and the Jaguars were powered by an explosive rushing attack, piling up 250 yards on 33 carries.
On the other side of the ball, the Jaguar defense limited the Olympians to 292 total yards of offense and 117 rushing yards on 45 attempts, coupled with 5 sacks and 2 interceptions. This group played its best football when it mattered most. Southwestern secured stops on a 4th and 1 from its own 21 yard line with a little more than a minute remaining in regulation, and a game clinching two-point conversion defensive stand in the third overtime.
Per the JCGridiron Dirty 30, "The final undefeated program out west is Southwestern College, who continues to be one of the great stories of the season. Southwestern (#16) used to be the program that others would schedule for Homecoming but have suddenly turned things around and remain undefeated (5-0) after a thrilling overtime win against rival San Diego Mesa (40-38) this past weekend."
With an unblemished record Southwestern moved up one spot to a No. 5 ranking in the JC Athletic Bureau's poll for the California Community College Football Coaches Association. In fact, at the halfway point of the regular season in the 3C2A ranks, Southwestern is one of six different undefeated National Division programs – all of which are ranked in the top six.
Up Next
All 66 California Community College teams have a bye this week and Southwestern resumes play on Thursday, Oct. 9th at Palomar. Palomar's overall record is a bit misleading, and the narrow margins of their losses suggest they are a much better team than their current 1-4 record. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM