The Pasadena City College football team used an efficient ground game that resulted in five touchdowns as the Lancers stayed perfect at 6-0 by winning their SCFA American Pacific League opener over Santa Monica, 35-16, on Saturday afternoon. The game was moved to PCC due to the tragic shooting that closed down the SMC campus this week.

The M&Ms backfield of Micah Mendoza (101 yards in 19 carries) and Mohammad Maali (45 yards in 12 attempts) each scored two touchdowns while Flip Fox added an explosive 80-yard TD scamper in the second quarter. The Lancers netted a season-high 288 yards on the ground, averaging 6.1 per carry. 

Mendoza's 1-yard TD and a pair of 3-yard scores by Maali helped PCC get out to a 20-3 lead, then Fox broke loose for his long running play that made it 26-3 by halftime. 

Mendoza added a 5-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter and Ozlo Rigby capped the scoring on a 28-yard field goal in the fourth period set up by a 59-yard interception return by Issaiah Blades. Rigby contributed an extra punt, kicked three touchbacks, punted for a 38.5 yards average in four kicks, and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff. 

Fox totaled 146 all-purpose yards (including a 34-yard kick return) and backup quarterback Gianni Mascolino added a 35-yard run. 

Defensively, Jachai Pulley made seven tackles and broke up two passes, Kyden Bailey contributed seven tackles, Torriq Brumfield tallied six tackles and a hurry, and Julius Ray picked uo five tackles and a sack. 

For SMC (2-3, 0-1), quarterback Michael Cruz passed for two touchdowns and running back Pierce Reynoso rolled to 110 yards rushing in 20 carries, including a 55-yard jaunt. 

Mendoza is third in the entire SCFA in rushing yards per game at 107.6 and his seven touchdowns is second in the region. Fox is eighth in the SCFA in all-purpose yards average at 124.8.

PCC next hosts LA Pierce College Saturday, Oct. 26 in a 6 p.m. kickoff at Robinson Stadium.