Orange County Community College Football : OCC Makes Big Plays Count, 28-26

Orange Coast College converted three key fourth-down plays, two for touchdowns, and got 436 yards in total offense from Bart Recktenwald to defeat Golden West, 28-26, in a nonconference football game Saturday night in front of 4,500 at LeBard Stadium.

The last fourth-down conversion was a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Keith Jarrett to wide receiver Junior Tagaloa with 4:07 left to give OCC a 28-24 lead.

Recktenwald figured in the other two fourth-down conversions. He rushed for five yards on fourth and two at the Golden West 49 on the drive that lead to the winning score.

He also caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Jarrett on fourth and one with 7:06 left in the third quarter and ran in a two-point conversion to cut Golden West’s lead to 17-14.

Jarret was 19 of 33 for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Recktenwald, a sophomore who switched from defensive back to tailback this season, ended up with 93 yards rushing. He also had 131 receiving, including 2 touchdowns, 199 in 6 kickoff returns and 13 in punts. His 436 yards in offense is a school record.

“Hey, we were behind and we had to go for it on the final drive,” said OCC Coach Bill Workman. “The first fourth-down score (the pass to Recktenwald) was a Keith Jarret ‘draw-it-in-the-dirt play.’ He told us what was open and we told him to go ahead.”

Golden West had opened a 17-6 lead in the third quarter when quarterback Bill Marler hit Mike Crowley for a 55-yard scoring pass.

Golden West took the lead again, 24-21, when Marler completed a 74-yard scoring pass to Willie Taylor with 8:41 left.

Marler was 13 of 19 for 231 yards.

Turnovers were the key to first half as Golden West took a 10-6 lead.

Golden West’s Odell Harrington blocked a punt which was recovered by Mike Babb to set up a touchdown.

Blaise Bryant completed the scoring drive by diving into the end zone to end a five-yard run to give Golden West a 7-3 lead.

Tony Garrett rushed for 106 yards in 19 carries for Golden West.