Bears Connect on Last Second TD Pass, Shock Mesa, 43-42

Phoenix, AZ- There's something about the scene of Phoenix College that brings out the most bizarre games between the Mesa Thunderbirds and the PC Bears and Saturday nights festivities again did not dissapoint.

After all the points that were scored, all the yards garnered by each team's offenses, it all came down to the last play of the game where Phoenix College had to score to win.  They connected on a 12 yard slant pass over the middle in front of the Mesa secondary to top the T-Birds, 43-42.

The T-Birds had held PC to zero points up to that final play but allowed the Bears to score 37 points in the first half.  

Each offense basically had their way in the first half, as the clock operator couldn't move fast enough to add points to the board, with the score being 37-35 at halftime.

Rathen Ricedorff led the Mesa offense on the night, throwing five touchdown passes, three of which went to wideout Dionte Sykes.  Tyrek Cross scored the first TD of the night for Mesa on a run up the middle.

One of the major miscues though on the night was a safety by the T-Bird offense.  Near their own endzone, Ricedorff misplayed the wayward snap and it ended with him stepping on the back endline of the endzone and two points to the Bears.

Mesa did take the lead in the second half when Ricedorff connected with Sykes in the right corner of the endzone.  That was the only points Mesa could manage though in the half.

The T-Birds now start the season 0-1.  This was the first time Mesa has lost to Phoenix since October of 2011.

Mesa will be at home next Saturday against the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters, kickoff at 7 p.m.