Clutch kick keeps Rams undefeated
By Aaron TurnerStaff Writer
As kicker Jens Alvernik’s 39-yard field goal flew through the uprights Saturday afternoon in Oroville, the raucous Butte College supporters, more than 4,000 of whom were in attendance, fell deathly quiet. The dejected silence was immediately replaced by a euphoric cheer from the Rams’ sidelines.
That kick, which capped off a 79-yard game-winning drive, was just one of many highlights in the Rams’ hard-fought 16-14 victory over the defending national champion Butte Roadrunners. The Rams’ gutsy win will undoubtedly secure a number one NorCal ranking for 6-0 (1-0) City College, which came into the contest ranked second.
Alvernik missed extra point early in the second half that would have knotted the game at 14. However, he was completely unfazed by the pressure placed on him.
“I didn’t really think about anything, not the crowd, or the miss before,” he said. “I didn’t even think about how bad I would hurt the team if I didn’t make it. I just went back to basics in my head and focused on one thing.”
Butte was able to score on their first possession, relying heavily on their power running game to move the ball. Running back Rick Barr lead all rushers with 183 yards and two touchdowns, while Curry Williams added 78 of his own. The Roadrunners ran the ball a total of 47 times for 288 yards. The Rams’ defense stuffed their passing game as Butte quarterback Jordan Rodgers was held to just 80 yards passing on 5-16 throwing.
“I’m really pleased with what we did, especially on defense,” Rams head coach George Rush said after the game. “[Butte] had a scoring drive to open up the game, and one to start the second half, and then that was it - they were done.”
Penalties seemed to be an issue for his team during the entire game. They were flagged for five personal fouls alone. After going into the locker room tied at 7-7, Rams linebacker Brent McCord was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing a punch at a Butte player on the second half kickoff. McCord was ejected from the game.
“We were put in bad positions in terms of penalties,” Rush said. “We certainly deserved some of them, but there were times where our guys were provoked and they didn’t get called. It’s always the case where the second guy gets caught.”
After exchanging touchdowns once more in the third quarter, the Rams trailed 14-13 going into the fourth. They failed on a fourth down attempt deep in Butte territory and were then forced to punt on their first two possessions. The Rams got the ball back with 1:50 remaining in the game. Starting at his own 19-yard line, Darius Bell marched his team 59 yards on 14 plays and setting up the game winner by Alvernik with only 3 seconds remaining.
“You just need to have confidence,” said Bell, who finished 20-44 passing with one touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a touchdown and picked up 108 yards rushing. “The entire game I was confident of my ability to throw the ball, as well as the ability of my receivers to get open.”
Thanks to Alvernik, a gutsy defense and clutch play by the offense, the Rams undoubtedly made the three and a half hour trek to the Butte campus a memorable one.
City College looks to keep the momentum rolling when they host Diablo Valley College (2-4) on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.
