SANTA ANA, CA - The Tyler Thompson head coaching era for the Bakersfield College football team began with a 28-14 victory road victory at Santa Ana College Saturday night. Thompson and the Renegades first victory relied on a balanced offense attack combined with a dominant defensive performance against the Dons.

The game opened with Bakersfield striking first as sophomore Ja'Daniel Nettles powered in a 5-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. Santa Ana responded late with a 16-yard scoring pass to tie the game at 7-7 after one.

The Renegades relied on the leg of Carlos Villa in the second quarter, as the sophomore kicker drilled field goals from 21 and 22 yards to give BC a 13-7 lead at halftime.

After the break, Santa Ana briefly swung momentum in its favor when the Dons connected on a 39-yard touchdown strike to go up 14-13. But the Gades answered in the fourth quarter, reclaiming control behind a pair of clutch scoring drives. Sophomore Malachi Statler capped a 7-play, 32-yard series with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dylan Fowler, followed by a successful two-point conversion pass from sophomore Chad Sabal to make it 21-14. Later in the quarter, freshman Corey Watkins Jr. sealed the victory with a 13-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 28-14.

The Renegade defense was relentless, forcing three Santa Ana fumbles and intercepting two passes. Sophomore Richard Gooden was the defensive standout, recording both interceptions and returning them for 102 yards. The front line also applied consistent pressure, tallying four sacks on the night.

Bakersfield's offense was led by Nettles, who rushed for 107 yards and a score on 13 carries, while Watkins Jr. added 36 yards and a touchdown. Quarterbacks Statler and Carson Woods combined for 103 passing yards, with Ben Spears hauling in a team-long 36-yard reception.

With the win, BC starts the season with a win and will look to carry momentum into next week's home opener versus Allan Hancock.