Orange Coast College

Football: Pirates look for 5-0 start against visiting Fullerton

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

KICKING OFF: The Orange Coast College football team opens its SCFA National Division, Southern Conference schedule at home against Fullerton College in the Pirates’ 600th career game. Last year, the Pirates needed two overtimes to top the Hornets, 35-34, at LeBard Stadium. The Hornets lead the all-time series 32-21-3.

THE BIG ‘6-0-0’: Here’s a nice, meaningless stat to chew on … in round-numbered games, the Pirates are 3-2 overall. They won their 100th against Mt. San Antonio in 1958 (7-6) and their 200th against Golden West in 1969 (30-20), but lost their 300th against Palomar in 1979 (36-21). In 1989, OCC’s 400th game was a 32-14 win over Rio Hondo in 1989, but Game No. 500 was a 55-7 loss to Long Beach City in 1998.

HALL-OF-FAMERS HONORED: At halftime, OCC will acknowledge six of its newest members of the Athletic Hall of Fame. Three athletes -- Jill Angel (Softball/Basketball), Bill Redding (Football) and Buddy Belshe (Swimming), two coaches -- Geroge Mattias (football) and Jim McIlwain (Track/Cross Country) and longtime Coast employee and supporter Rachel Hamilton are now the latest lifetime members of OCC's most elite athletic organization. These six join the current members, which include Jane Hilgendorf (Coach/Athletic Director), Dick Tucker (Coach), Sue Brown (Division Dean), Laura Held Watkins (Cross Country/Track), Mike Hunter (Football), Jim Newkirk (Baseball), Tony Accomando (Football), Laurie Adams (Volleyball), Joey James (Baseball), Tami La Velle (Swimming), Bernard Mason (Service), Wendell Pickens (Baseball), Ray Rosso (Coach), John Vallely (Basketball).

HUGHES FINDING END ZONE: Sophomore quarterback Taylor Hughes has made a habit of finding the end zone, either by air or by land. Using his skills as an elusive runner, the Corona del Mar HS grad has rushed for a team-best four touchdowns. As the Pirates’ primary passer, Hughes has averaged 160 yards per game and thrown for three TDs, completing 62.7 percent of his passes along the way.

HORNETS REPORT: After opening with consecutive wins over Compton (35-19), L.A. Pierce (59-20) and Moorpark (16-13), the Hornets took their first loss of the season to third-ranked College of the Canyons, 34-28. Quarterback Jeff Fleming has thrown for nine touchdowns and 619 yards on 42-of-84 passing with three interceptions. Jeremy LaFrance leads the Hornets’ receivers with 11 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Devon McCullough has been solid, rushing for 215 yards and four TDs.

MORE MINDLESS STATS … The Orange Coast College defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown all season and the Pirates lead the conference in interceptions with eight and turnover ratio at +6. The Hornets are tops in the conference in punting with a 44.5 yards-per-punt average and are third in punt return average at 22.9 yards per attempt.

NEXT WEEK … The Pirates will head to Eddie West Field to face the Santa Ana College Dons on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m.