The Bakersfield College football team made its home debut on Saturday night against Long Beach City College.
The Renegades turned in a stellar performance, defeating the Vikings, 29-27, in front of an announced crowd of 1856.
Jalen Hankins (18 carries for 76 yards) and Jordan Norwood (17 carries for 71 yards) spearheaded a solid running game, while quarterback Carson Woods passed for 245 yards with two touchdowns in leading BC (1-1) to the non-conference victory.
"We persevered," BC coach R. Todd Littlejohn said. "We grew up. Last week so many young players, it was their first college and they learned very quicky it's not an extension of high school. They were able to adjust from the speed of it from last week. We cleaned up some things."
The Renegades' defense also played a big part in the win. David Stevenson had a fourth quarter pick-six and Logan Bowers kept Long Beach (0-2) from tying the game with 6:12 remaining when he sacked Vikings quarterback Will Madonna, thwarting a two-point conversion attempt.
Madonna, the SCFA Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week was held to under a 50-percent completion percentage (18-of 35) during the back-and-forth affair.
Hankins had a team-high seven receptions, including two touchdowns. Dominique D'Amato led BC in receiving yards with 152 including a 67-yarder that set up Hankins' second TD.
The Renegades' first lead of the game didn't come until late in the third quarter when Joseph Campbell capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
Campbell's TD was the start of 16 unanswered points by the Renegades, who led the rest of the game.
BC out-gained Long Beach 406-338 and won the turnover battle 1-0.
"We were much more effective running the football tonight," Littlejohn said. "Jalen Hankins and Jordan Norwood did a phenomenal job in that. Our O-line got great push and we were able to sustain drives more than we did last week."
BC's next game is this coming Saturday against San Bernardino Valley at Memorial Stadium. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
