SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana College Football team opened the 2025 season with a 28-14 loss to No. 17 ranked Bakersfield College on Saturday night. 

It was a highly anticipated game as the Dons (0-1) came into the season with a new interim head coach in Simon Fuentes while also making the jump to the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division. 

Despite the significant changes, SAC held their own against the ranked Renegades (1-0).

In the first quarter, both teams started with empty possessions but it was Bakersfield that struck first, going 40 yards for a touchdown after capitalizing on great field position thanks to an interception and a 60-yard return. 

On the ensuing possession, Santa Ana put together an impressive 77-yard drive that took seven minutes off the clock. Sophomore quarterback Nate Bento and sophomore transfer running back Brandon Giron were used heavily throughout the possession until the Dons found themselves in a third and long situation at the Renegade 16-yard line. 

Bento then found a streaking Nathan Meek down the middle of the field for the first touchdown of the year. 

Neither team could get into the endzone for the rest of the half but the Renegades managed a couple of field goals to take a 13-7 lead into the break. 

The third quarter belonged to Santa Ana as they held BC scoreless while taking the lead on a 39-yard pitch and catch from Bento to freshman wide receiver Deacon Moss with 4:48 left on the clock. 

Although the momentum was clearly in their favor at that point, the Dons could not sustain it as the Renegades responded with 15 unanswered points in the final quarter to take back the lead and escape with their first victory of the season. 

SAC was very much in contention for the win but struggled with turnovers and penalties. Two interceptions, a couple lost fumbles and nine penalties for 95 yards limited their opportunities. 

Bento finished the day with 216 passing yards (18-32),  two touchdowns, a couple of interceptions and 82 rushing yards. Moss and Meek combined to catch 11 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown each. 

On the defensive side, Santa Ana looked solid as they came up with some key stops to keep the game within reach. Freshman defensive back Wallace Filemu led the group with 10 tackles while sophomore linebacker Gabriel Bagdonoff recorded seven himself. 

SAC will now prepare for week two as they are set to go on the road to face Chaffey College on Saturday, September 6th at 6:00 p.m.