Eagles 28 - University 7
MISSION VIEJO, CA., October 15, 1993 – The Eagles came into their Homecoming game sporting a new look all around.
The home jerseys were gold, the defense had seven new starters and the offense was able to run at will in the 28-7 victory.
"Basically it was a new look for us-it kept the kids hungry," Coach Jim Hartigan said. "We made a statement to our players-come Monday ready to practice or you won't have your position Friday night."
The game started out terribly for SM, however, when Ricco Roberson went 61 yards just 28 seconds into the game to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead.
That was about all University would do the rest of the evening as SM answered with an 80-yard, 13-play drive which ended on a one-yard run by Chris Collins to tie the score.
The Eagles scored in every quarter as Derek Yankoff went in from one yard out in the second for a 14-7.
Collins, who had 75 yards on 15 carries, scored on 6- and 8-yard runs in the final two quarters.
The defense held University to less than 200 yards of total offense, improving their record to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in league. Yankoff finished with 53 yards rushing and 149 yards passing, and Brian Finneran had six receptions for 45 yards.
| Santa Margarita | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| University | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
UNI – Roberson 61 run (Lockwood kick)
SM – Collins 1 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Yankoff 1 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Collins 6 run (Korinke kick)
SM – Collins 8 run (Korinke kick)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: Collins 15-75, Yankoff 17-53, Franqui
3-13
Passing: Yankoff 13-24-0, 149, .541%, 0 TD
Receiving: Brian Finneran 6-49, Brad Finneran 3-36, Griffin 1-47
Defense: Brad Finneran 4 tackles, 1 int; Glover 7 tackles; Vaughn 7 tackles;
Brian Finneran 7 tackles.
Freshmen Ruben Vaughn had a big night defensively with 7 tackles.
'New' Santa Margarita wins
MISSION VIEJO – Santa Margarita came out Friday night sporting a new look. New gold jerseys. Seven new starters on defense.
And the normally high-flying Eagles offense took to the ground to beat University, 28-7, in a Sea View League game in front of an estimated homecoming crowd of 1,500 at Saddleback College.
Running back Chris Collins led the Eagles (5-1, 2-1), scoring three touchdowns on 16 carries for 80 yards.
"We established our running game tonight," Santa Margarita coach Jim Hartigan said. "I don't think we have a great running game, but it's getting on track."
After losing to Corona del Mar last week, 14-7, Hartigan said he was disappointed with the performance of his team at practice Monday. And Friday he sent a message to his defense.
"Bascially, it was a new look for us _ it kept the kids hungry," Hartigan said. "We made a statement to our players _ come Monday ready to practice or you won't have your position Friday night."
The new-look defense got an early wake-up call on the game's first play. University's Ricco Roberson ran the ball 61 yards to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead 28 seconds into the game. As the defense settled down, Santa Margarita's offense took over.
On their ensuing position, the Eagles drove 80 yards in 13 plays, spearheaded by 47 rushing yards by quarterback Derek Yankoff. Collins scored on a 1-yard run to tie it.
Yankoff put the Eagles ahead, scoring on third-and-inches with 6:13 remaining in the first half to give Santa Margarita a 14-7 halftime lead.
Roberson led University (0-6, 0-3) with 17 carries for 123 yards.
By Tiffany Sparks
Saturday, October 16, 1993
The Orange County Register - D5
