No. 3 Riverside Rides Heavy-duty Defense in Victory over Golden West

The Riverside City College football team has not allowed a team to score more than seven points in the first half throughout the past two contests. This afternoon in a National Southern League battle against the Golden West College Rustlers on the road, the Tigers looked to maintain that streak along with pushing their winning streak to five straight. A stout defense mixed with a consistent offense was the exact recipe for success as they cruised to a 24-6 victory.

The Tigers did not display their typical offensive prowess as they scored a season-low 24 points. However, they more than doubled Golden West's offensive output with 460 yards stemming from 80 plays. Additionally, it was nearly an even split on the ground and through the air as Riverside rushed for 252 yards and passed for 208 yards.

Believe it or not, the other side of the ball was even more dominant. Riverside held the Golden West to just 208 total yards while not allowing them to gain a single yard on the ground. In fact, they took yards away as seen in a negative six yard rushing total.

Many helmets surrounded the ball tonight with 16 different Tigers recording at least one solo stop. Sophomore linebacker Vic Viramontes, who leads his team and is tied for ninth in the conference with 38 total tackles, paced the squad with five tackles to go along with a sack for a loss of 14 yards. Freshman linebacker Jose Ramirez notched four tackles, while sophomore defensive lineman Nickolas Figueroa lowered his shoulder for three stops and a sack. All three of Figueroa's tackles were in the backfield.

Offensively, sophomore running back Malik Walker paced the offense on the ground with 20 carries leading to 132 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Quincy Wimbish earned over a bill of all-purpose yards which included 13 carries for 50 yards and four catches for 51 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Stone Smartt recorded an efficient line by going 18-for-24 with 208 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown pass found the hands of freshman wide receiver Jammal Houston for 33 yards. It was Houston's lone snag of the day.

He located nine different receivers throughout the game. Wimbish lead with four catches, while sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Marshall hauled in three catches for 39 yards. Freshman wide receiver Tyler Kennedy matched his three snags going for 31 yards.

Sophomore kicker John Garibay booted home his lone field goal attempt going for a season-long 31 yards. He is flawless in his last six attempts.

Riverside (6-1, 2-0 NSL) will return home on Saturday, October 27 and play host to No. 13 Southwestern in conference action. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.