Rustlers squander lead, fall to LBCC

LONG BEACH — The Golden West College football team seized a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter, but was then blitzed by host Long Beach, which claimed a 42-20 nonconference win on Saturday at Veterans Stadium.

The Rustlers (1-4) were sacked seven times and had four turnovers to drop their fourth straight game to complete the nonconference portion of their schedule.

After a bye week, Golden West opens Southern Conference play at home against Saddleback on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.

Adam Vance completed 24 of 41 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice.

Gabe Ford led Golden West’s ground game with 52 yards on 14 attempts, while Sheldon White had 10 receptions for 74 yards.

Zimari Manning, a 2014 All-American who had not played since injuring a knee in the 2016 season opener, had four receptions for 30 yards for Golden West.

Manning’s 10-yard touchdown reception put the Rustlers up, 14-0, with 1:36 left in the first quarter and they upped the lead to 20-0 on a six-yard touchdown run by LaVonte Tolliver with 11:39 left in the first half.

But it was all Vikings from there on as the hosts improved to 4-1 with their third straight victory.

— From staff reports