DeMoss runs for 183 yards, No. 1 Bulldogs escape Fresno with 23-14 win

FRESNO – Sophomore running back Malakhi DeMoss ran for a season-high 183 yards with a touchdown to help lead No. 1 state-ranked College of San Mateo to a 23-14 non-league victory at Fresno City College on Saturday night.

The defending state-champion Bulldogs head into the bye week with a perfect 5-0 mark as they head to the season's halfway point. CSM also extended its winning streak to 15 games.

CSM overcame another shaky outing by quarterback Johnny Koett. After tossing a pair of interceptions last week, Koett threw three more against an opportunistic Fresno City (2-3 overall) defense. He ended the contest completing 11 of 20 passes for 105 yards and a TD.

The Bulldogs once again turned to the running game as they totaled a season-high 229 yards, led by DeMoss' outburst. His one-yard touchdown run at the 11:45 mark in the third quarter gave CSM a 10-7 lead.

San Mateo added a 19-yard field goal by Dieter Kelly, the second of three booted by him in the game, and a 3-yard touchdown pass from Koett to Kenyon Shabazz to head into the fourth quarter with a 20-7 advantage.   

The Rams broke up the Bulldogs' 17-point run with a 7-play, 59-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard TD reception by Jacob Couch from Christian English. FCC was within six points at 20-14 with 11:13 to play in the fourth.

But the Rams would get no closer. Kelley knocked in a 20-yard field goal at the 1:56 mark to close out a fourth-quarter drive that chewed up over six minutes from the clock.

And the Bulldogs' defense finished up the win by intercepting English on the Rams' final drive with under a minute to play. CSM came up with three interceptions in the contest, forced four fumbles while recovering three, broke up 4 passes, and had a sack.

RJ Whitten had a big game with 5 tackles, a sack, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and 2 pass break ups. Jeremiah Lewis led with 9 tackles while Phoenix Rose and Jason Auzenne both had interceptions.

The Bulldogs will refocus during next week's bye and return to action on Oct. 11 to host one of the biggest games of the season. Undefeated Diablo Valley College (5-0) heads to College Heights Stadium to for both teams' National Bay 6 League opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

CSM will also put its 25-game home winning streak on the line when the two squads battle.