In a thrilling display of collegiate football, Santa Monica College (SMC) secured a decisive victory over Victor Valley College with a final score of 52 to 34 on September 7, 2024. The game began with a weather delay but quickly heated up as both teams traded scores in a back-and-forth contest.

Santa Monica College took an early lead, only for Victor Valley College to rally back, and taking a 27-21point lead late in the second quarter.  With 26 seconds remaining in the 1^st half, SMC got the ball back by forcing a punt.  The Corsairs drove 25 yards to set up a 42-yard field goal by Jaiden Espadas to end the half with a 27-24 score. 

The second half started off with fireworks as Maurice Herrera took the opening kick off 90 yards for a Touchdown. That set off a fast paced 4 minutes as Santa Monica scored 3 more touchdowns before the 3^rd quarter reached the 10-minute mark.

SMC forced a quick 3 and out on VVC's first drive of the second half, setting up a 49-yard TD pass from Michael Cruz to Sean Grier. Logan Polk then intercepted the a pass on the Ram's first play of the next drive, setting up the Corsairs inside the 5 yard-line.  That would set up Pierce Reynoso for his 3^rd of 4 touchdowns on the day. 

When the Clock hit 10:37 left in the 3^rd quarter the Corsairs had taken a 52-27 lead. The Corsairs ended up creating 6 turnovers and had two big 4^th and 1 stops while VVC was in scoring position. The second stop coming on 4^th and Goal on the final play of the 3^rd quarter.

Santa Monica returns home on September 14, 2024 for their home opener against College of the Desert.

Notes:

The 6 Takeaways by the Corsairs were the most by an SMC football team in nearly 10 years.

The 52 points and 4 rushing Touchdowns were the most scored by the Corsairs in one game since 2015.

LB Sherif Djato led all players with 13 tackles, including 2 TFLs and a PBU.

DE Kalani Atwood, seeing his first action in nearly 2 years after an injury during the 2022 season, recorded a sack and a forced fumble while disrupting the offense all night.

LB Cameron Terry, recorded a Sack, Forced Fumble and Fumble recovery all on the same play.

RB Pierce Reynoso scored 4 rushing touchdowns in his first game for the Corsairs.

QB Michael Cruz threw 2 TDs in his return after suffering a season ending injury in the second game last season.