IRVINE – A strong defensive effort by University carried the Trojans to a 32-0 win over Adelanto in a nonleague game at University High on Thursday night.
Despite the lopsided score, it wasn’t all good for University, which was flagged for 135 yards on 15 penalties.
“When you have that many penalties, I don’t care what game you’re in,” University coach Mark Cunningham said. “I don’t care what the score is. It’s not going to be good”
Adelanto (1-5) was also nicked for 64 yards on nine penalties.
But University (5-0) was strong on defense throughout, holding Adelanto (1-5) to just 15 yards rushing on 16 carries in the first half. The Trojans racked up 10 tackles for loss and three interceptions in the game.
“Defensively, we played well,” Cunningham said. “No matter what, can’t take that away. For that part, I was really pleased.”
The defense earned a safety as Adelanto snapped a punt out of the end zone in the first quarter, but the offense was sporadic.
University’s offense was waylaid by the penalties but was able to score in two bursts, one in each half.
With University leading, 2-0, late in the second quarter, Alex Pourdanesh pulled in a 26-yard reception from Thomas Keeling to set up his own 9-yard touchdown run.
Pourdanesh took University’s next offensive snap just 48 seconds later for a 31-yard touchdown burst and a 15-0 lead.
Pourdanesh finished with 13 carries for 98 yards.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Clark Smith sprung for a 27-yard run and Keeling hit Darius Outland with 30-yard TD pass for 22-0 lead.
The Trojans got back-to-back touchdowns as Anthony Medina grabbed a tipped interception on Adelanto’s next play and returned it 35 yards for a 29-0 lead.
Jalen Robertson pulled in University’s third interception on the next drive. Nick Loveland cashed in with a 19-yard field goal.
