Fresno City College holds off American River amid a bizarre moment in the fourth quarter
Fresno City College football survived a 14-10 victory over American River on Saturday afternoon, but there was a bizarre moment in the game that could've hurt the Rams.
The Rams had the ball in the fourth quarter with 12:51 remaining and faced 2nd and 3.
The next play Ya'J Vance completed a pass to Velltray Jefferson for a two yard gain to face 3rd and 1.
One problem: the rear rod (chain gang) instead put fourth down.
The referees never corrected the rear rod and ran the next play where the Rams were stopped short for turnover on downs.
Rams coach Tony Caviglia tried telling the referees the problem, but they insisted it was fourth down.
Even the simulcast said it was third down. Even the box score listed 3rd and 1 as 4th and 1.
Nevertheless, the Rams escaped with the win to improve to 3-0.
"I'm not going to go down that rabbit hole," Fresno City coach Tony Caviglia said. "But we lost it down there. I don't understand why."
The Rams' defense were big in the win with two interceptions that thwarted any rally by the Beavers.
The interceptions came by Diego Betancourt and Trey Carr, who sealed Fresno City's win with 1:07 remaining.
"Good teams find a way to win," Caviglia said. "We're able to do that."
Box score
Fresno City 14, American River 10
Fresno City (4-0) 7 7 0 0 - 14
American River (1-3) 0 3 7 0 - 10
First quarter
Fresno City: Ramon Ruiz 7 pass from Ryan Markarian (Johnny Enriquez kick), 1:00. Drive:Fresno City 7, American River 0.
Second quarter
American River: FG Cameron Smith 44, 7:35. Drive:Fresno City 7, American River 3.
Fresno City: Ah'Marion Gaines-Smith 5 run (Enriquez kick), 1:15. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards in 6:15. Fresno City 14, American River 3.
Third quarter
American River: Elias Brown 13 run (Smith kick), 9:26. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards in 5:27. Fresno City 14, American River 10.
Fresno City American River
First downs 18 9
Rushes-yards 52-144 24-78
Passing yards 79 132
Total yards 223 210
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0
Penalties-Yards 6-40 12-74
Possession Time 33:31 26:29
RUSHING: Fresno City, Ah'Marion Gaines-Smith 21-84; Andrew Chavez 7-34; Jordan Colbert 3-20; Ya'J Vance 11-14; Ashton Chalabian 5-10; Ryan Markarian 3-9; Team 2-(-9). American River, Elias Brown 12-58; Akil Sohan 7-21; Hakeem Anderson 1-1; Jett Harris 4-(-2).
PASSING: Fresno City, Ryan Markarian 5-8-0-42; Ya'J Vance 3-4-0-37. American River, Jett Harris 12-20-2-132.
RECEIVING: Fresno City, Ramon Ruiz 3-27; Marquis Cropper 1-26; Travis Sirwet 3-24; Veltray Jefferson 1-2. American River, Jadon Anderson 4-90; Victor Noble 3-19; Nick Ecaterinis 2-14; Luis Torres 1-7; Gavin Correia 1-4; Terquaverlis Wallace 1-(-2).
INTERCEPTIONS: Fresno City, Trey Carr 1-0; Diego Betancourt 1-24. American River, None.
FUMBLES: Fresno City, Ah'Marion Gaines-Smith 1-1; Ya'J Vance 1-1. American River, None.
SACKS (UA-A): Fresno City, Giovanni Pifferini 1-0; Levi Little 1-0. American River, Collin Bray 1-0; Edgar Montes 1-0; Garrett Risley 2-1; Johnathan Correa 1-1.
