University’s football team notched its second straight win to start the season, defeating Bolsa Grande at home 43-19 in a game lasting three hours and 10 minutes featuring over 150 plays Friday night.
The Trojans opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal by Trevor Pattock midway through the first half.
The visiting Matadors answered with a 49-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Micheal T. Nguyen to classmate Anthony Diaz to go up 7-3. University responded with a late first quarter score on a 13-yard scramble by senior quarterback Dylan Elmer putting the Trojans up 9-7.
Early in the second quarter Nguyen scored on a 2-yard run up the middle. That 13-9 score would be Bolsa Grande’s last lead and would last all of 14 seconds.
Senior Moises Keith-Chavez responded with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, the first kickoff return touchdown for University in the Vince Mesa era.
Three minutes later Elmer found Junior Vitor Campos on a 19-yard scoring strike for a 23-13 lead. Ninety-six seconds later, junior Kurtis Nivens ran to the end zone via a 56-yard scoop and score to put the Trojans up 30-13. Erick Ramos booted a 45-yard field goal for the Matadors to cut the lead to 30-16, the score going into halftime.
University added two third quarter touchdowns, a 30-yard Elmer to Charlie Carmichael pass while Pattock added a 31-yard interception return. All in all, the Trojans scored five different kinds of touchdowns, a field goal and four Pattock extra point kicks. Ramos completed the scoring with a 36-yard field goal.
For University Elmer completed 16 of 30 passes for 323 yards, his second career 300-yard game. He also had a team high 52 yards on seven carries for 375 yards of total offense.
Carmichael caught five passes for 141 yards and added an interception. Keith Chavez hauled in three receptions for 92 yards and had 219 all purpose yards. Campos had four catches for 75 yards.
For Bolsa Grande, Nguyen completed 20 of 38 passes for 275 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Slater Espinoza had eight receptions for 105 yards while fellow classmate Tyler Le snagged six passes for an even 100 yards.
University plays at Portola and Bolsa Grande (1-1) hosts Loara on Friday.
—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone
More Stories
PHOTOS: Strong defensive play leads El Modena to road victory over Segerstrom
Week one Friday night high school football final scores for Orange County teams
Irvine uses strong defense, efficient offense for shutout victory over city rival Portola