The Cabrillo College Seahawks turned it over seven times in their 34-28 American Golden Coast Conference season opening loss to host West Hills College Coalinga on Saturday.
Freshman quarterback Nick Martig threw four interceptions and Cabrillo (1-3, 0-1) also lost three of five fumbles on the night.
Yet the Seahawks, who were fresh off their first win of the season a week ago, managed to keep pace with West Hills (2-2, 1-1) the entire game.
Cabrillo trailed 14-13 at the half and tied it up at 28-all late in the fourth quarter. But West Hills sealed the victory with a seven-play, 71-yard drive, which was capped off with a Myron Norfleet 6-yard touchdown run.
Seahawks freshman running back Terrance Smith ran 19 times for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His second score, a 14-yard sprint into the end zone, tied the game with 2:11 left to play but the Cabrillo defense could not secure a much-needed stop.
Martig made his third straight start behind center and completed 23 of his 39 attempts for 253 yards but was plague by turnovers all night. Along with the four interceptions, Martig also lost two fumbles.
Sophomore receiver Chris Easter hauled in six passes for 106 yards and freshman receiver Mitchell Harris caught eight balls for 81 yards.
Seahawks sophomore running back Troy Menna ran for a 14-yard touchdown.
Freshmen defensive backs Aaron Pride and Shaq Floyd and sophomore linebacker Trevor Rico made interceptions for Cabrillo. Pride returned his pick 25 yards for the game’s first score.
Cabrillo’s sophomore linebacker Travis Schuhe made 14 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
The Seahawks play at Los Medanos College on Oct. 7 at 1 p.m.
