COD Football drops home opener to Vaqueros, 38-33

Despite a valiant comeback effort, College of the Desert Football (1-1) fell just short in their 2025 home opener, dropping a 38-33 decision to the Glendale Vaqueros (1-1) on Saturday night.

The Roadrunners faced adversity early, trailing 21-0 in the first quarter before clawing back to within eight at halftime, 28-20. However, costly penalties — 125 yards in total — and a series of unusual second-half delays ultimately derailed the comeback.

The night was anything but ordinary. With COD's football stadium currently under construction, the Roadrunners hosted their home opener at Cathedral City High School. In the third quarter, play was halted due to lightning strikes from monsoonal storms in the nearby mountains. Later, with just two minutes remaining, the stadium lights unexpectedly shut off, leaving the field in complete darkness for over 10 minutes.

This was the ninth all-time meeting between COD and Glendale, dating back to 1972. The Vaqueros now lead the series 7-2, including a 5-0 mark against the Roadrunners in Palm Desert.

On the field, sophomore wide receiver Robert Taylor (6-2, 175, Desert Hot Springs H.S.) had a breakout performance, hauling in five catches for a season-high 168 yards and a 29-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Oshea Wallace (5-10, 180, Cathedral City H.S.) made his return home, throwing for 188 yards on 13-of-22 passing with one touchdown, including a long completion of 52 yards. Freshman quarterback Noah Vaughn-Israel (6-2, 205, Alan B. Shepard H.S., Palos Heights, Ill.) added 49 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, while also throwing for 139 yards and a score. However, his three interceptions proved costly.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Jalen Jones (6-1, 220, Brentwood Academy, Tenn.) anchored the Roadrunners with 11 total tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble.

The Roadrunners return home on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m. to face the West Los Angeles Wildcats (Culver City). COD and West LA first met in 1979, when the Wildcats were known as the Oilers. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 4-2, including a 3-1 record in Palm Desert.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Dale Beck Photography.