EJ Shexnayder returns to help propel RCC over Fullerton 45-28

RIVERSIDE (10-6-2012) – Riverside (5-1, 3-0 Central Conference) defeated Fullerton College 45-28, and star running back EJ Shexnayder returned after a one game sabbatical to rush for 181 yards and score a touchdown. Shexnayder, who missed the Long Beach City game due to injury, dominated Fullerton on the ground, and Coach Tom Craft kept calling his number as he had 28 carries.  The Tigers netted 189 yards in rushing, whereas Fullerton scarcely managed 49 rushing yards.

After an early 7-0 lead by the visiting Hornets, the Tigers roared back with 24 straight points in about a 25-minute span in the first and second quarters. During this run, quarterback Zach Adkins threw Marquis Thompson and Kenny Torrance touchdown passes, and Schexnayder capped the run with a rushing touchdown from Fullerton's 5-yard line. RCC led 24-14 at the half.

After the Tigers scored again mid-way through the third quarter, Fullerton (2-3, 1-1) came back with a touchdown near the end of the third quarter, and a rushing touchdown with 11:51 left in regulation to trail RCC 38-28.  The Tigers abruptly took away Fullerton's hope for a comeback when Adkins found Torrance for an amazing 74-yard touchdown pass 53 seconds later. 

Adkins completed 26 of 34 passes for 390 passing yards and four touchdowns, and he also had a rushing touchdown. Torrance averaged 30.4 yards per catch on the evening in his five receptions, two of which were touchdowns. On the defensive end, Paul Senn registered eight tackles.

RCC amassed 579 total yards while the Hornets had 380 total yards. The Tigers were nine of 17 third-down conversions. Additionally, Riverside had 16 penalties account for a loss of 201 yards. 

The Tigers will play its second straight game at home against El Camino College at 1 p.m. on Saturday.