IRVINE – University combined a punishing rushing attack with a solid defensive effort to defeat Estancia, 37-7, in a nonleague game Friday night at University.
The game was delayed about 20 minutes late in the second quarter when Estancia lineman Johnathon Garcia was injured trying to make a tackle.
Estancia coach Mike Bargas said that it appears Garcia will be OK and that the team was taking necessary precautions.
“He felt sensation in his legs, so that was a good thing,” Bargas said. “Listening to the paramedics, they said there was some neck pain.”
Garcia was treated on the field and transported by ambulance to a hospital.
There were 59 seconds left in the second quarter when the injury occurred and the coaches agreed to end the first half with University leading, 21-0.
Estancia (1-3) thwarted University’s shutout bid when quarterback Eric Carrasco scored from 2 yards out with 18 seconds left in the game.
University was led by Clark Smith, who rushed for 123 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 62-yard score in the third quarter.
Alex Pourdanesh, used often out of the Wildcat formation, rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown, and Daniel Dolan had 57 yards rushing and a TD.
University (4-0) exploded for three touchdowns in the second quarter. Dolan scored from a yard out early in the quarter to open the scoring.
The Trojans then got the ball back on the Estancia 33 when they recovered a fumble by the Eagles. Two plays later, Smith scored from 30 yards out to put University ahead, 14-0, with 9:14 left.
University moved ahead 21-0 on a 3-yard run by Pourdanesh with 5:51 remaining.
Nicholas Loveland had a 39-yard field goal for the Trojans in the third quarter.
Contact the writer: tiburt@scng.com