Giants fall in California's capital city

A 27-point second half outburst by Sacramento City downed the College of the Sequoias football team 34-21 on Saturday at Hughes Stadium.

Panthers quarterback Jayden Machado threw for 323-yards and four touchdowns.

It took a little over a minute on Sacramento City's first drive for Machado to throw for his first touchdown. He found Robert Harrison on a 34-yard strike.

With Sacramento City leading 7-0, COS running back Andrew Azua caught quarterback Nolan LeForge's pass to tie the game at 7-7. Azua's only touchdown of the night capped off a 14 play, 96-yard drive for Sequoias in the second quarter.

Coming out of halftime, Sacramento City regained the lead with Machado finding wide receiver Jordan Moore, putting the Panthers up 14-7.

Sequoias' quarterback Gus Villareal came in and scampered into the end zone five minutes later. Villareal's 15-yard rushing touchdown tied the game once more, this time at 14-14.

With the two teams going back-and-forth, Sacramento City seized the momentum the rest of the night when Tayvian Cunningham returned the ensuing kickoff 95-yards for a touchdown.

A Ryan Buchanan fumble set up Machado and Moore for the second time. The duo hooked up on an 8-yard pass in the red zone, giving the Panthers a 28-14 lead.

Machado and Moore teamed up for the final time in the fourth quarter, as Moore broke loose for a 77-yard touchdown.

COS could not break past the Panthers defense until 1:54 remaining in the game. LeForge's six-yard pass to Dvonte Crandle trimmed Sacramento City's lead to 13 points. That lead would reign supreme the rest of the night in California's capital city.

LeForge finished 22-of-34, with 234-yards, and two touchdowns. Azua rushed for 104-yards on 23 carries. Phillip Adams had five catches and led Sequoias in receiving yards with 119.

Jailyn Mays, Jordan Dominguez, and Ricky Scott each had five total tackles for COS. Elijah Dailey registered the lone interception for Sequoias.

The Giants have a bye this upcoming week. Sequoias return to action on October 14, as they open Valley Conference play hosting Modesto at the Mineral King Bowl.