Palomar Dominates Southwestern 31-14, Moves to 4-5

CHULA VISTA, CA (11/9/2024) -- Palomar College delivered a strong all-around performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating Southwestern College 31-14 on the road. The Comets, now 4-5 on the season, showcased a dominant rushing attack and an opportunistic defense to claim the win.

Palomar set the tone early with an efficient opening drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from Chris Bausch. Bausch, who had a career day, added two more rushing touchdowns in the first half—a 5-yarder in the second quarter and a 1-yard score later in the period. He finished with 232 rushing yards on 43 carries, powering the Comets' ground game and controlling the clock throughout the contest.

The Comets' defense held Southwestern in check for most of the game, forcing key stops and allowing just one field goal in the first half—a 21-yarder by Jacob Cuevasiba. Palomar's defense limited Southwestern's rushing attack to just 83 yards and consistently pressured quarterback Connor Underhill.

After halftime, the Comets extended their lead with a 22-yard field goal from Jonathon Jack, capping a long 13-play, 57-yard drive. Despite a brief fourth-quarter surge by Southwestern, highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown pass from Underhill to Savigon Yokley and a successful two-point conversion, Palomar responded with a clock-eating 10-play drive that ended with Bausch's fourth touchdown of the day—a 5-yard plunge to seal the victory.

Quarterback KJ Chatham managed the game effectively, completing 10 of 18 passes for 90 yards. Ja'Shon Williams led the receiving corps with 40 yards on three catches, while Trenice Woods and Tate Reid contributed key receptions.

Palomar's defense was led by James Coddington, who recorded five tackles, and Andy Devine, who added four stops. The Comets controlled possession for nearly 38 minutes, converting 53% of their third downs and keeping the ball away from Southwestern's offense.

With momentum building, Palomar will look to carry their strong play into their next matchup as they aim to finish the season on a high note.