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WEB EXCLUSIVE – Interim head coach James Kuk led the Lancers to their third consecutive victory and their first in the National Northern Conference over the visiting Bakersfield Renegades 31-28 in hard fought game between two physical teams.Quarterback Eldrin Jones was a perfect seven for seven on a seven minute third quarter drive, capped by Joshua Morgan’s 10-yard barreling run into the end zone that gave the Lancers a 31-20 lead with 1:14 remaining in the quarter. Jones finished 18-of-24 for 199 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“That drive was crucial for us,” an enthusiastic Kuk said after the game. “It allowed the defense to stay fresh and allowed us to finish off that fourth quarter.”

PCC (3-2, 1-0) seemed in control up by 11 with 3:45 to go in the game, however Jones had trouble with a low snap and was forced out of the pocket. Instead of throwing the ball out of bounds, Jones pass attempt near mid-field was intercepted by Jacob Cross who returned it to the Lancers 42.

A minute and eight seconds later Renegade running back Bruce Frieson scored on a 1-yard leap and quarterback Nick Gauthier’s deflected pass found its way into the arms of receiver William Randle for the 2-point conversion, to cut the lead to 31-28.

Bakersfield’s ensuing onside kick was recovered by sure-handed Titus Mack and Morgan gained 27 of his season high 143 yards on 19 carries with 2:30 to play, allowing Jones to kneel down to kill the clock.

“[Morgan had an] outstanding performance,” Kuk said of his running back, who also caught a 9-yard first quarter touchdown pass from Jones. “He was conference player of the week last week and we told him he’s not one and done.”

PCC linebacker/fullback Roman Pula laid a devastating hit on Bakersfield’s Chuckie Covington on the game’s opening kick-off.

The Renegades then marched down the field with Frieson carrying four times for 35 of his team high 134 yards. Gauthier found a wide-open William Randle for a 25-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead on the game’s first possession.

After Morgan’s catch and PCC’s first field goal of the season, a 20-yarder by Anthony Bermudez, Bakersfield again got up off the mat when defensive back Gerrit Otten intercepted a Jones pass intended for Owen Dixon and raced in for the 25-yard score.

The teams traded leads five times in the first half, which ended with PCC on top, 24-20.

“We had our work cut out for us,” said Kuk, who is 3-0 after taking over for Kenny Lawler Sept. 20. “We knew we were in for a dogfight, and the kids just hung in there.”

The Lancers travel to Ventura for a their second conference game Oct. 11.

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