The Riverside City College football team’s quest for an undefeated regular season ended on November 7, 2026, with a 45-42 loss to San Diego Mesa at Merrill Douglas Stadium in San Diego, Calif. The Tigers concluded the regular season with a 9-1 overall record and 6-1 mark in the SCFA National Southern League, earning a share of the league championship alongside Saddleback.
Quarterback Christopher Cooper threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns in the game, finishing the regular season as the state leader with 2,983 passing yards and an average of 298.3 yards per game. Riverside overcame an early 14-point deficit to take a 35-21 lead entering the fourth quarter, but San Diego Mesa rallied late to secure a last-second 33-yard field goal for the victory.
Cooper completed 25 of 41 passes with one interception, distributing the ball to 10 receivers. Running back Kurelle Thomas led the rushing attack with 53 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Wide receiver Nicholas Gaoa added 25 rushing yards, six receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. Riverside’s defense made notable plays including an interception by Caden Arellano, but ultimately could not contain Mesa’s fourth-quarter surge.
Looking ahead, Riverside will receive a first-round bye in the 2026 3C2A Southern Regional Football Championship playoffs, which begin November 14. The Tigers are scheduled to host the winner of the first-round match between Mt. SAC and Southwestern on November 21 at Wheelock Stadium, with kickoff time yet to be announced.
CSB Take
While the loss denied Riverside City College an undefeated regular season, the Tigers’ 9-1 record and shared SCFA National Southern League title demonstrate their status as a top program in California junior college football. Christopher Cooper’s leading passing statistics underscore the team’s offensive capabilities heading into the playoffs. With a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the second round, Riverside is positioned to contend deeply in the 3C2A Southern Regional Football Championship.
Source: Original report
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