By Kevin Niendorf Record Correspondent
STOCKTON - Pinpointing the exact turn of events that alters the outcome of a football game isn't always easy, but that wasn't the case Saturday when the tide turned against host Delta College during its Big 8 Conference matchup with Fresno at Lawrence A. DeRicco Field.
Already down a touchdown in the second quarter and the ball at the Fresno 3-yard line, the Mustangs were unable to cross the goal line on four rushing attempts. Instead of a tie game, the Rams immediately marched 96 yards on four plays - which included an offensive holding call - and claimed two touchdown lead.
Delta's inability to get that potential game-tying touchdown was all the players and coaches on both sides would talk about following Fresno's 37-20 victory. Delta quarterback Jacob Perez, who was tackled for a three-yard loss on the fourth down-and-one situation, said sometimes the last yard is the most difficult to get.
"It's all based on how much you want it, and today we just couldn't get it in," said Perez, who threw for 246 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. "It's pretty disappointing because we're a good enough team to put up more points on that team. We definitely should have capitalized on our short-field advantage, but we just couldn't execute when we were that close."
That big swing of momentum toward Fresno changed the game as the Rams (6-3, 3-1 Big 8) scored 24 consecutive points en route to a 24-7 halftime lead. Delta (4-5, 2-2) opened the game with a five-play, 78-yard drive capped by a 39-yard pass from Perez to Stagg alum Jacob Turner.
Earlier in the second quarter, before the goal-line stand, the Mustangs also failed to complete a pass on a fourth-and-four at the Fresno 14-yard line.
"That's 14 points right there," Delta coach Gary Barlow said. "Against a good team you have to take advantage of those opportunities. You have to get the ball in the end zone when you get a chance.
"Our guys played valiantly, and a couple of plays here or there makes for a closer game in the fourth quarter," he added.
Fresno and Delta have played each other relatively even the past three seasons, with neither team defeating the other by more than eight points. After beating the Rams 47-40 two seasons ago at home, the Mustangs were hoping Saturday to avenge last year's 45-43 loss in Fresno.
However, only one other junior college quarterback in the state has found the end zone more than Rams quarterback Trey McJunkin. With two more against the Mustangs, McJunkin has 26 touchdown in nine games. His 227 passing yards per game average will increase after throwing for 358 yards against Delta.
"We knew Delta would play hard, they always do," Fresno coach Tony Caviglia said. "We tried to find holes that we could take advantage of. Sometimes we did, sometimes we didn't.
"We made that good goal-line stand, and turned the field right there," he added. "But (Delta) had a great goal-line stand also on us, so, it's good football. We're fortunate to be able to come out ahead."
Caviglia was referring to the Rams' three rushing plays inside the Delta 3-yard line that produced just two yards. After Delta's next three-and-out the Rams once again got into the red zone, but Delta's staunch defense forced the Rams to settle for the third of three field goals and a 30-13 lead.
Delta's final touchdown occurred immediately after the ensuing kickoff, when Delta started at its own 42-yard line. Perez scrambled from the pocket and found Darrin Gentry Jr. streaking down the left sideline. Gentry Jr. caught it at the 25-yard line, cut back against the grain, and raced two defenders to the goal line for a 58-yard touchdown.
"I just tried to make a play on the ball, and when I caught it I just tried to out-run everybody," said Gentry Jr., who led the team with 87 yards receiving on three catches. "We have to make the plays when it comes our way. We didn't make them today so we need to work on that."
Fresno out-gained the Mustangs in total yardage, 552-376, as the Rams largely took to the air. McJunkin was 24 of 39, but was also picked off by Delta's Malik Vega-Tatum just prior to the pivotal goal-line stand by the Rams.
http://www.recordnet.com/sports/20171104/missed-opportunity-costs-mustangs-game