Tigers Cruise in Season Opener against El Camino

The Riverside City College football squad took to the road for their season opener against the El Camino College Warriors on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers were unstoppable on both sides of the pigskin after leading wire-to-wire en route to a 34-7 victory.

Riverside did not waste any time putting numbers up on the scoreboard as they struck first off a three play, 75-yard drive that displayed a powerful ground game. Sophomore quarterback Stone Smartt kicked off the drive with a 20-yard scurry, backed by a 30 rush from sophomore running back Malik Walker. Walker capped the drive with a 25-yard scurry to the house to grab a six-point lead.

The Tigers continued to press on the offensive gas pedal on their second drive of the contest. They continued to feed the backfield highlighted by a 28-yard carry from freshman running back Dunmar Fisher. Smart capped the 15 play, 99-yard drive with a six-yard connection to sophomore wide receiver Tyrone Marshall to grab a 13-0 lead.

Despite not scoring in the second quarter, the Tigers punched in six early in the third quarter compliments of a one-yard rushing touchdown from Fisher. Riverside then explode for two more scores in the fourth quarter. Marshall and Smartt connected for six for the second time in the game on a 27-yard passing touchdown. Smartt sealed the deal late in the fourth quarter with an insurance touchdown hauled in by freshman wide receiver Melquise Stovall thus leading to a 34-7 victory.

Smartt put together a strong debut under center by going 13-for-22 through the air leading to 230 yards and a trio of touchdowns. He also rushed for 114 yards off 17 carries. Walker surpassed the century mark on the ground after earning 20 touches leading to 127 yards and a touchdown.

The aerial attack was forceful and successful. Stovall lead the group with seven catches leading to 133 yards and one touchdown. Marshall hauled in five catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers defense kept the Warriors out of the end zone until the last minutes of the fourth quarter. They halted them on all three fourth down conversion attempts and kept them under 300 total yards.

Sophomore linebacker Mitchell Agude paced the defense with 10 tackles, while sophomore linebacker Devyn Charles backed him with eight stops. Sophomore defensive back Jean Joseph forced a fumble and had an interception.

The Tigers (1-0) will hit their home turf for the first time the season on Saturday, September 8^th as they host the Fullerton College Hornets. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.