Tough Mesa defense can't hold up 7 Mesa offensive turnovers in loss to Glendale, 24-21
Mesa, AZ- Usually when your defense allows the opposing offense only 155 total yards and forces three turnovers, one of which was returned 50 yards for a touchdown, and limits their offense to just a field goal, there's a good chance your team will win. That's if your own offense doesn't allow seven turnovers, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
That was the case Saturday night at John D. Riggs Stadium as Mesa dropped their second game of the season to the Glendale Gauchos, 24-21. Mesa starts the season 0-2 after falling to Snow College last weekend in Ephraim, UT by the same score, 24-21.
The one highlight for Mesa was their incredible defensive effort. The Gaucho offense was completely shutdown by the relentless T-Bird attack. Led by linebacker Amonai Itaaehau(So., Mesa, AZ, Desert Ridge H.S.) who finished with 13 total tackles, six solo and 1.5 sacks.
The first two possessions of the game for Glendale began in Mesa territory, after a couple wayward Mesa punts. The defense held the Gauchos offense to just a field goal that was kicked from 40 yards.
Unfortunatly, Mesa's offense could not find any sort of rhythym. After punting on their first two possesions, on their third possession Brennen Dobson(So., Mesa, AZ, Red Mountain H.S.) fumbled when he was trying to allude Gaucho pressure, causing him to fumble. A Glendale defensive lineman picked it up and returned it for the first Gaucho touchdown. Dobson finished 16-34, for three interceptions and a touchdown pass.
On Mesa's next possession, on 4th down and four yards to go, Dobson threw an a pick six, Glendale returning the interception 65 yards for the touchdown.
In the second quarter, Dobson did regroup and connected with Joshua Aganon(So., Scottsdale, AZ, Chaparral H.S.) for a 70 yard catch and run touchdown. Dobson found Aganon over the middle and Aganon cruised past the Gaucho secondary, bringing the score to 17-7.
With less than 20 seconds left in the half, Mesa inside the redzone, on fourth down, Dobson threw an out route too far to the inside of his receiver, allowing the Glendale defender to step up and pick it off, which he ran back 95 yards for a touchdown.
That was the last time Glendale scored in the game. All three Gaucho scores came from the Glendale defense.
Second Half
Both defenses clamped down in the third quarter, not allowing any points. Both teams forced their opposing quarterback into a turnover, Sean Paul Brophy fumbling while Dobson threw his third interception.
On Glendales first possession of the fourth quarter, defensive back Kamon Clayton(So., Laveen, AZ, Cesar Chavez H.S.) stepped in front of Brophy's pass and returned it 50 yards for a T-Bird touchdown, closing the Gaucho lead to 24-14.
The Mesa defense continued to stop the Gaucho offense, allowing the Mesa offense to get back into the game. Kenneth Steele(Fr., Goodyear, AZ, Tolleson H.S.) punched in a six yard touchdown with 1:24 left in the game, to cut the lead to three. Steele rushed for 113 yards on 24 carries, with a touchdown.
While trying to run down the clock, Glendale fumbled and Rodney Jones Jr.(So., Antioch, TN, Antioch H.S.) recovered the fumble on Mesa's 44 yard line with 1:10 on the clock.
Rathen Ricedorff(Fr., Showlow, AZ, Showlow H.S.), who replaced Dobson in the fourth quarter, fumbled on the second play of the drive, which was recovered by Glendale and sealed the Gaucho win.
Mesa now has a record of 0-2 to start the season. Glendale is now 1-1. Mesa will be on the road next weekend at Phoenix College, 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday night, then back home on September 19th against Pima.