SANTA ANA, Calif. -  Santa Ana College Football seems to have found its recipe for success as the Dons (7-2, 3-1) fought off the reigning American Division Champions in the Chaffey Panthers (7-2, 3-1) for a 31-22 win in a critical game on Saturday afternoon. 

SAC has an elite defense that comes up big when it matters and saw it do so again in this one. Although they gave up 394 yards of total offense, the Dons forced two turnovers on downs, scored on a pick six in the fourth quarter, blocked a PAT kick and recovered a fumble inside the redzone. 

Freshman defensive back Jesse Vargas continued to track down ball carriers and led the team in tackles with nine to go along with a QB hurry. Malachi Bey was also in a lot of action with seven tackles of his own in addition to a huge 84 yard kickoff return that put SAC in great field position to set up their first score. 

But Owen Tesch might have had the biggest play of the day with an interception that came at the heels of a turnover by the Don offense in the fourth quarter. The freshman linebacker out of Yorba Linda dropped back in zone coverage and made a leaping grab in front of a crossing route  before taking it 42 yards the other way for a game sealing score with 2:04 left in the fourth.

The Dons are now ranked eighth in the state in points given up per game (20.7), third in interceptions (15) and fifth in sacks (27). 

While the defense deserves a lot of credit, the running game for the Dons has also done its job. The tandem of William Saucedo and Owen Smith as well as the athletic quarterback play of Nate Bento behind a consistent offensive line has been an effective attack. 

Saucedo and Smith combined for 184 yards and a score on the ground while Bento added 37 and his own touchdown. In addition, Bento threw for 38 yards including a clutch 12 yard dime to Nathan Meek to retake the lead at the end of the second quarter. 

Santa Ana hopes to take this game plan on the road next week in their final regular season game of the year as they take on College of the Desert on Saturday, November 16th. The Roadrunners are 1-8 overall and 1-3 in AML play. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.