The Yuba College 49ers capped the tail end of their 2005 season in bizarre fashion. After facing many issues on and off the field, it was no surprise that the Bay Valley Co-Conference Champions would go down to the wire.
The last two games of the season were hectic all in itself. Solano College Falcons came full force on the first of the two home games, crushing the 49ers 42-10. All throughout the game the Falcons ran the clock and controlled the tempo.
The 49ers only score was on a Marcus T. Allen Touchdown catch with 12:12 left in the second quarter, and a field goal by Nicholas Nelson mid-second quarter. The 49ers defense seemed out of synch, and the offense could not finish off drives without turning the ball over and protecting the quarterback.
The last game of the season, a home game for the 49ers, had the opposite ending. The 49ers offense came alive in a 27-7 win over Mendocino College Eagles. Running back Andrew Fatten ran for a career high 41 times for 222 yards and Trevor Stoehr threw for three touchdowns-two to Marcus T. Allen while Nicholas Nelson kicked two field goals.
The defense came up big as well, holding the fast paced Eagle offense to one score, capitalizing on turnovers and coming up big in the red zone. On a particular drive late in the third quarter, the Eagles were attempting a rally and had gone all the way to the 49ers’ 3-yard line only to be stopped on fourth and goal. Yuba got the ball and ended the Eagle’s chances for a comeback. After the game, Mendocino and Yuba were both named 2005 Bay Valley Co-Conference Champions.
The 49ers (4-5), were invited to the Graffiti Bowl in Modesto, were they would play the Hartnell College Panthers (6-4) who were winners of the Coastal Conference. The Panthers came from a 37-17 deficit late in the fourth quarter, rallying in overtime to win 34-37, and spoiling running back Andy Fatten’s 256 yard, two touchdown performance.
The 49ers played great football through out most of the game, capitalizing on key plays both offensively and defensively, as well as special teams. Defensive back Tivon Jackson returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and putting the 49ers in good position to win the game.
But the Panther’s quarterback Brandon Olden, the game’s Most Valuable Player, led his offense on two key drives late in the fourth quarter, as well as leading the team down field in overtime to throw the game winning touchdown.
In Overtime, the 49ers got the ball first, only to go three and out and score on a Nicholas Nelson 38 yard field goal. Olden and the Panthers, who started on their own 25, marched right down the field and scored on a 10 yard touchdown pass.
Yuba quarterback Trevor Stoehr went 13 of 23 for 167 yards and two touchdowns, while Marcus T. Allen caught four passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Allen, had a crucial role in the game as he was ejected from the game after he was called for a personal foul that pushed the 49ers back, eventually giving the ball back to the Panthers for the game tying score.
The offense looked stagnant in overtime, possibly from losing Allen for that key series. Allen, who has been a key player in the 49er offense this season, broke school records in touchdown receptions in a season (14), and receiving yards in a season (1,140).
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