Late TD run lifts Sacramento City over San José, 31-27

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jason Wilson's 1-yard touchdown run with 22 seconds remaining capped a furious finish and lifted Sacramento City College to a 31-27 win over San José City College on Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.

Wilson, who split time at quarterback with Vince Arcuri, engineered a nine-play, 32-yard drive in the final two minutes after San José had taken the lead. The sophomore signal-caller punctuated the march with a keeper behind his left guard, pushing through the goal line to put the Panthers ahead for good.

San José (1-1) had rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half and briefly seized a 27-24 lead when Cedeno Chavez scored on a 3-yard run with 2:29 remaining. Chavez capped a 10-play drive that showcased his dual-threat ability, completing a pair of passes and scrambling for a key first down before plunging in himself.

But Sacramento City (2-0) answered immediately, leaning on Wilson's poise and the legs of running back Jackson Tallent-Burleson. A 17-yard catch by Marco Joseph and a defensive pass interference penalty pushed the Panthers into the red zone before Wilson delivered the decisive score.

Explosive plays define first half

Sacramento City struck first when Tallent-Burleson broke loose on a 37-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. San José responded midway through the second with Chavez finding Cody Ahola on a 5-yard scoring toss, capping a methodical 10-play, 45-yard drive.

The Panthers quickly countered. Freshman running back Devin Stephens ripped through the Jaguars' front for a 17-yard touchdown less than two minutes later to restore the lead. San José trimmed the margin to 14-10 just before halftime with a 23-yard field goal from Gabe Mederios.

Third-quarter fireworks

Sacramento City appeared to seize control early in the third when Wilson connected with receiver Jack Carner on a 67-yard strike, giving the Panthers a 21-10 cushion. Carner beat single coverage down the sideline and outran the secondary to the end zone.

San José refused to fold. Chavez answered late in the quarter, finding Jaalen Mhoon on a 32-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Jaguars within 21-17. Mhoon, who finished with nine receptions for 112 yards, repeatedly stretched Sacramento City's defense.

Trading blows in the fourth

Mederios drilled a 29-yard field goal early in the fourth to make it 20-21, briefly putting San José within striking distance. Sacramento City's kicker Noah Jang pushed the lead back to four with a 32-yard field goal midway through the quarter.

Chavez's go-ahead score with just over two minutes left seemed destined to deliver a second straight win for the Jaguars, but Sacramento City's final drive erased that hope.

By the numbers

Despite the loss, San José outgained Sacramento City in several statistical categories. The Jaguars ran 80 offensive plays to the Panthers' 54, finishing with 320 yards of total offense to Sacramento's 387.

Chavez carried the load for San José, completing 26 of 44 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added the late rushing score but was under constant pressure, absorbing four sacks. Austin Price chipped in seven receptions for 81 yards, while Ahola's touchdown grab was his second of the season.

On the ground, the Jaguars struggled, netting just 62 rushing yards on 35 carries. Running back Joey Fussell Jr. paced the effort with 56 yards on 11 attempts.

Sacramento City's balance proved decisive. Tallent-Burleson rushed for 84 yards on nine carries, averaging more than nine yards per attempt, while Stephens and Wilson added touchdowns on the ground. Carner finished with 77 receiving yards on just two catches, including his long touchdown.

Defensively, San José's Nate Goldsbury recorded a game-high nine tackles, including a sack. Sacramento City's front seven wreaked havoc, totaling four sacks and nine tackles for loss, led by CJ Millican's 1.5 sacks.

What's next

San José returns home next Saturday to host Sequoias, looking to rebound after its first loss of the season. 

Final: Sacramento City 31, San José 27.