COD (4-4; 2-1) moved back to .500 on the season as the team marked the 60th Homecoming game with another defense performance, holding the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville (2-6; 0-3) to only 32 yards rushing in a Roadrunners win, 38-22. 

The Desert defense would shut down the Rams first two drives and the Roadrunners would get onto the scoreboard first on a 34 yard field goal by freshman kicker Diego Martinez (Thermal Desert Mirage) to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

Even when sophomore quarterback Noah Shoeman (Murray, UT) had tossed two picks in the first half, the Victor Valley drives would be cut down by the overwhelming Desert defense.

The Roadrunners would get onto the board again when Shoeman connected with sophomore wide receiver Jaurice Thomas (South Elgin, IL) for a seven yard catch and run, to give Desert a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Rams took their next drive 65 yards on 10 plays and punched the ball into the end zone on a 10 yard run, and after a failed two point attempt, Desert held a 4 point lead, 10-6.

The Roadrunners would extend that lead out to 17-6, when Shoeman tossed a dart to sophomore running back Levi Holden (Roseburg, OR) who ran over a couple of Rams defenders to dive into the end zone and give Desert an 11-point lead going into halftime.

Freshman linebacker Quintcy Egson (Indio Shadow Hills) was a monster on defense, four days before Halloween, as he led the team in solo tackles with six, grabbing two sacks for a total of a loss of 12 yards and a breakup.

The Roadrunners have a 32-9 all-time record against Victor Valley, including a 20-4 record in Palm Desert.

Martinez not only opened the game with a 34 yard field goal and then nailing all five extra point attempts, not to mention eight kickoffs averaging 56.1 yards per kick off, for a total of 449 yards.

Shoeman had another impressive game tossing for 228 yards, going 19 of 33, connecting with five different receivers and four scores.

The next home game for Desert is the 51st annual Palms-To-Pines Trophy game on November 3, when they host the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles, game starts at 6 p.m.

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Rodrigo Pena Photography (rigopena@yahoo.com)