Owls Earn Statement Win, Upset No. 16 San Diego Mesa

Unranked Citrus College Football pulled off a statement win on Saturday, September 13, taking down No. 16 San Diego Mesa College 24-21 in a thrilling road victory.

The Olympians struck first, marching 63 yards on the opening drive to grab an early 7-0 lead. Citrus answered midway through the second quarter, capping an 86-yard drive with freshman running back Keyonn Chatmann's first rushing touchdown as an Owl. The drive was highlighted by a spectacular 44-yard grab from Cameron Bateman on 3rd-and-18, setting up the game-tying score. Mesa regained the lead just before halftime, punching in a 7-yard touchdown run to take a 14-7 advantage into the break.

The Owls opened the third quarter with another long drive. Quarterback Brian Salazar Jr. connected with Bateman for 31 yards to set up 1st-and-goal, and on 3rd down, Salazar found JoJo Enriquez for a 12-yard touchdown to even the score at 14-14. After a defensive standoff, Mesa reclaimed the lead early in the fourth on a 6-yard touchdown run to go up 21-14.

Citrus wasted no time responding. Robert Rodriguez's 48-yard kickoff return set the Owls up at midfield, and just a few plays later, Salazar hit Jalen Thompson on a 24-yard strike to tie it again at 21-21. After trading punts, Mesa had a chance to pull ahead but missed a 37-yard field goal with 3:22 left. The Owls capitalized, driving 65 yards to set up Alex Hernandez's clutch 31-yard field goal with 1:14 to play.

Mesa pushed into field goal range in the closing seconds, but their game-tying attempt with three seconds left sailed wide, sealing the Owls' second win of the season and first over a ranked opponent.

Stat Leaders

• QB Brian Salazar Jr.: 22-for-39, 252 yards, 2 TD (7 passing TDs this season – tied for 4th in the state)

• RB Keyonn Chatmann: 11 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD

• WR Cameron Bateman: 9 receptions, 128 yards (292 yards on the season – 6th in the state; 19 receptions – 3rd in the state)

• WR Jalen Thompson: 3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD

• WR Keaton Morales: 4 catches, 30 yards

• WR JoJo Enriquez: 2 catches, 24 yards, 1 TD

• K Alex Hernandez: 3-for-3 PAT, game-winning 31-yard FG

Defensively, Citrus was anchored by Maddox Barrios with 12 tackles, while Thomas White and Elijah Ybanez added six each. Ybanez also broke up a pass.

Citrus (2-1) now turns its attention to a cross-town showdown, hosting No. 3 Mt. San Antonio College this Saturday, September 20 at 6 p.m.