Coaching staff scratching their heads after baffling performance

This was not the same team that nearly took out #10 AZ Western one week ago.  The 2009 Mesa Thunderbirds went quietly into the night at the hands of the Phoenix College Bears, 35-2, on Saturday night, September 26 at John D. Riggs Stadium.

The total yardage was so lop-sided it isn't worth baring the gory details.  The team must regroup quickly if they expect to have any chance against powerhouse Snow College, who just finished manhandling Glendale. 

Taylor Perkins was sacked eight times and chased around his own backfield all night long by the menacing defensive line of the Bears.  Mesa's offensive line had no answers.

There were some special teams brightspots, highlighted by a 67-yard punt from Zach Richards in the second half with the game already decided.   Richards got the game ball, punting 11 times for a 39.5-yard average.  Sam Lantz had two nice returns on punts averaging 19 yards a return. 

Daniel Thomas, Tito Gonzalez, and Sefita Vaki played like they were possessed, practically in on every tackle.  Jordan Young picked off Rueben Ramirez at the goal line or the score may have been worse. 

Mesa recovered two of Phoenix's four fumbles, one by Daniel Thomas and another by Al Savea. 

On the night, Taylor Perkins was 9 of 24 for 41 yards and two interceptions.  Jarison Johnson was the leader on the ground with 19 yards on nine carries.

Mike Nielson caught two balls for 25 yards and Tanner Rehrer caught five for 20. 

Mesa's only score came on a safety by Quintin Nelson after Marquis Wheaton fielded a punt, backed up trying to escape the tacklers and ended running into his own end zone where Nelson caught him. 

Snow visits John D. Riggs Stadium next Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m.