PHOTOS: Victory in final seconds lifts Fullerton College into SoCal regional title game

Fullerton College players celebrate after last-minute victory over Mt. San Antonio College. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

In a game mindful of the prescient Yogi Berra observation …”it ain’t over till it’s over,” Fullerton College’s football team edged Mt. San Antonio College 45-41 Saturday night at Orange Coast College.

The victory, Fullerton’s 10 th in 11 games, advanced the Hornets to a matchup with undefeated Riverside City College (11-0) in the Southern California Regional Championship game Saturday at San Bernardino Valley College. Time will be announced.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Coach Garrett Campbell, left, and athletic director Scott Giles congratulate Tyrell Green Jr. after he was chosen MVP of the game.

Coach Garrett Campbell and athletic director Scott Giles pose with Jeremiah McNeel, chosen Fullerton’s player of the game.

Fullerton’s Jeremiah McNeel ran 35 yards for a touchdown on a fumble recovery.

Fullerton’s Jeremiah McNeel is mobbed by teammates after scoring on a 35-yard fumble return.

Fullerton Coach Garrett Campbell and quarterback Brandon Nunez embrace
after Nunez’s 2-yard sneak with 27 seconds to play gave Hornets win over
Mt. SAC.

Fullerton’s Josh Calvin celebrates after scoring on a 16-yard run.

Fullerton quarterback Brandon Nunez gained 21 yards on this last-series run that led to his 2-yard, game-winning score.

Fullerton’s Aiden Koenig is welcomed after scoring on a 50-yard pass from Brandon Nunez.

Fullerton’s Cameron Woods celebrates after a 54-yard scoring pass from Josh Calvin.

Fullerton’s Tyrell Green Jr. powers for several of his game-high 120 yards rushing.

The win over Mt. SAC was entertaining from start to finish, particularly the finish part.

The lead changed hands four times in the last 10 minutes of the game, three times in the final 3:48.
Fullerton took a 38-34 lead at the 3:48 mark on Josh Calvin’s 16-yard run, but Mt. SAC counted at 1:59 on Ike Udengwu’s 22-yard pass to Shemar Savage and things looked bleak for the Hornets.

With Fullerton’s rotating quarterbacks system in play, Brandon Nunez was next up for the Hornets and he drove in team 69 yards in six plays, scoring on a 2-yard sneak with 27 seconds to play.

Nunez accounted for 66 of the yards on the drive, completing passes to CJ Broy (3 yards), Will Gipson (15 yards) and Jordan Smith (25 yards) as well as scrambling for 21 yards before he was pushed into the end zone for the game-deciding TD.

Mt. SAC reached the Fullerton 48 before time expired.

For full game story from Fullerton College, click here:

—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone