Three fourth-quarter TDs propel Modesto JC to come-from-behind win over Diablo Valley
Quarterback Trey Cooper threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a span of six and a half minutes and Bryan Pascual had a key interception as the Pirates rallied from an 18-point deficit in a thrilling 35-34 victory over Diablo Valley College on Saturday in front of 2,003 fans at MJC stadium.
Diablo Valley (2-1) entered the game ranked No. 5 in California, the third consecutive Top 10 team the 14th-ranked Pirates (2-1) have faced this year.
For most of the game, Modesto struggled with DVC’s “Cover Zero” defense, where all 11 men are essentially on the line of scrimmage for an all-out blitz.
“Their safeties were coming down and making plays, and we had a hard time accounting for that,” said MJC’s first-year coach Rusty Stivers. “We had to loosen up a little bit and throw the ball more.”
The Vikings scored 51 seconds into the fourth quarter on Derek Anderson’s fourth touchdown pass of the game – a 15-yard strike to Dimitri Salido that made it 34-16 – for what appeared to be a dagger to the Pirates’ collective heart. DVC had a nearly 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession, keeping the Pirates’ NASCAR offense on the sideline.
But after the kickoff following Salido’s touchdown, Cooper found Tim Knuettel on the first play from scrimmage for a 64-yard strike with 13:48 remaining.
The Pirates forced a punt on DVC’s next possession and again scored quickly, with Cooper hitting Knuettel for a 40-yard gain to the DVC 17 and then finding Ravon Alexander on the next play for a touchdown that made it 34-29 with 7:21 to play.
Diablo Valley was forced to punt on its next possession and started to come apart at the seams.
Two personal-foul penalties gave MJC the ball the Vikings’ 35 to start its next drive, and, after a penalty on the Pirates moved the ball backward five yards, Cooper hit Alexander from 40 yards to put his team in front, 35-34. Cooper’s pass on a two-point conversion attempt was incomplete.
The Vikings set up shop at their 25 on their next possession and moved to MJC’s 40 after Anderson found Kyle West for an eight-yard gain. After an incomplete pass brought up third-and-7, Anderson was picked off by Pascual – the second time the cornerback intercepted Anderson – just as the Vikings were nearing field-goal territory.
Modesto was unable to capitalize on the turnover, going three-and-out, but Brandon Cremin’s punt backed up the Vikings to their own 33.
After Diablo Valley picked up a first down on third-and-3, Anderson, who was 35 of 55 for 398 yards to that point, threw four consecutive incomplete passes and MJC took over on downs with 3:37 to play. From there, the Pirates ran out the clock.
Cooper, through the air, was 19 of 36 for 307 yards and three touchdowns. He was also the Pirates’ leading rusher, carrying the ball 18 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. Knuettel caught four passes for 141 yards, while Alexander also caught four passes for 76 yards. Defensively, Jeremy Upersa led MJC with seven tackles and one sack.
“The mindset of the whole team was, no matter what the score, just keep playing,” said Stivers. “There was no panic from Trey, just a lot of good communication on the sidelines about what we could run. Trey’s pretty steady. He’s the same if throws a pick or a 64-yard touchdown.”
DVC receivers C.J. Cornwell and Nick West had almost identical stat lines. Cornwell caught 11 passes for 128 yards, while West hauled in 11 for 127 yards. Each scored a touchdown.
Modesto, flagged for 20 penalties for 187 yards in last week’s 51-41 loss at San Mateo, was penalized just four times for 30 yards against the Vikings.
The Pirates will travel to Sacramento City next week in a 6 p.m. contest.
This story was originally published September 20, 2015 at 1:43 PM with the headline "Three fourth-quarter TDs propel Modesto JC to come-from-behind win over Diablo Valley."