Roundup : Fullerton Wins on Trick Play

Freshman Nick-John Haiduc caught a 67-yard flea-flicker pass from Matt Waddell with 1:30 left in the game to give Fullerton College a 19-15 Mission Conference victory at Riverside Saturday night.

The Hornets (9-0 overall, 4-0 in Central Division play) tied Riverside (5-4, 1-3) on Kirk Hainline’s second field goal of the night with 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter before the Tigers took a 15-12 lead 5 minutes later on Darren Goodman’s 45-yard field goal.

Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, Fullerton quarterback Vic Williams threw a lateral to wide receiver Waddell, who connected with Haiduc for the game-winning score.

Fullerton, which entered the game ranked first in the state and second in the nation, took a 3-0 lead on Hainline’s 19-yard field goal with 5 minutes gone in the second quarter.

Hainline’s kick was set up 13 plays earlier when Riverside punter Tim Burton was tackled short of a first down at the Tiger 42 after Burton dropped the center snap.

Three minutes later, the Hornets extended their lead to 9-0 when Tim Imperiali returned aa punt 78 yards fcor a touchdown. The score remained the same, however, when Hainline’s conversion kick attempt sailed wide.

With 4:40 left before halftime, Riverside got its first 2 points when outside linebacker Steve Vaipulu tackled Williams in the end zone for a safety.

With 41 seconds left in the half, Riverside narrowed Fullerton’s lead to 9-5 on Darren Goodlan’s 38-yard field goal.

With one minute left in the third quarter, Riverside pulled ahead, 12-9, on Randy Payne’s 68-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Spurlin and Mike Gates’ successful conversion kick.