An ill-timed turnover and big play in the final minute
ultimately undid Live Oak
’s valiant second-half comeback Saturday against Truckee. The
Acorns lost in a 35-32 heartbreaker after turning the ball over to
Truckee (2-2), the Nevada State Class 3A defending champions, which
then scored with about 30 seconds to go on a 10-yard pass play and
2-point conversion.
An ill-timed turnover and big play in the final minute ultimately undid Live Oak’s valiant second-half comeback Saturday against Truckee.
The Acorns lost in a 35-32 heartbreaker after turning the ball over to Truckee (2-2), the Nevada State Class 3A defending champions, which then scored with about 30 seconds to go on a 10-yard pass play and 2-point conversion.
“It was a game to watch, a game of big plays and turnovers,” said Live Oak head coach Rick Booth. “It was kind of like whoever had the ball last would win the game.”
Which is exactly what happened.
Live Oak (2-3) trailed 21-12 at halftime. But running back Dustin Muhn brought the Acorns back by scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to put Live Oak up 32-21. The senior had a big day, scoring four of Live Oak’s five touchdowns. Running back Kevin Abbott had an 81-yard TD run in the first quarter to put the Acorns on the board first.
Booth said the offensive line had a strong game and that the two running backs blocked for each other. Both factors increased Abbott and Muhn’s effectiveness.
“(Abbott and Muhn) both complement each other so well,” Booth said.
Unfortunately, Live Oak couldn’t stall Truckee’s passing game.
“Defensively, we’ve got a week here to get after it a little bit,” Booth said.
In the first quarter, Abbott scored his touchdown for the first strike of the game. Truckee answered with two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion. Muhn had a 73-yard trip to the end zone to put the Acorns up 14-12 after one quarter of play. Truckee completed a 23-yard pass play and the ensuing PAT in the second quarter to take the 21-12 halftime lead.
In the third and fourth quarters, Muhn scored on 50, 17 and a 73-yard runs. Jeff Mounteer’s extra point kicks after the last two Muhn TD’s gave the Acorns the 32-21 lead. For the game, Muhn had 203 yards rushing on touchdowns alone.
But Truckee came back, scoring on a short pass play in the fourth quarter and again after the Live Oak turnover in the final minute for the game-winner.
“It was disheartening,” Booth said. “It was a very quiet bus on the way back.”
The Acorns made the 4-hour drive up to Truckee Thursday so they could practice there a couple of days to get used to high the 6,000-foot altitude.
Still, Booth said the altitude didn’t go unnoticed.
“Yeah, it affected us to the point where we pretty much platooned the whole game,” he said.
The Acorns play next on Oct. 14 when they travel to North Salinas for the TCAL opener. The team has a bye this week and won’t play this Friday.
