Moorpark Gets Plowed Under in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD —  In a ragged game that included 11 turnovers, Bakersfield College held onto the ball when it mattered and routed Moorpark, 41-14, in a Western State Conference game Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Bakersfield (3-0) ranked second in the state and first in Southern California, exploded for 24 points in the third quarter to break a 7-7 tie.

The Renegades rushed for 363 yards and limited Moorpark (1-1) to 94. They also fumbled five times, losing four, and quarterback Jeff Dover had a pass intercepted.

No matter. Moorpark committed six turnovers, including four fumbles.

“Man, it hurts to lose like this,” Moorpark quarterback George Jones said. “We hardly ever turn the ball over, that’s the surprising part.”

Bakersfield scored on four consecutive third-quarter possessions, then took a 34-7 lead on Jason Martin’s 37-yard field goal seconds into the fourth quarter.

J’Dron London rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries and Armis Stokes added 64 yards and one touchdown in 16 carries for the Renegades.

Stokes gave Bakersfield a 14-7 lead with a one-yard run two minutes into the third quarter. London, whose 14-yard touchdown run opened the scoring in the first quarter, ran 50 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-7.

Glenn Dudley connected with Tyran Spencer on a 37-yard touchdown pass play on Bakersfield’s next possession. Martin kicked a 47-yard field goal minutes later.

Moorpark was fortunate to emerge from the first half with the score tied. Bakersfield had four turnovers in the half, including an interception in the end zone by Moorpark’s Leodes Van Buren.

The Renegades made it look easy on their opening possession, marching 37 yards on five running plays to take a 7-0 lead on London’s 14-yard touchdown run.

Moorpark pulled even three minutes later when Jones scrambled before finding Aaron Davis for an eight-yard touchdown pass.

London had 115 yards in the first half, including 36 on a fake punt that gave Bakersfield a first down at Moorpark’s 34. The drive went for naught when Martin missed a 35-yard field-goal attempt.