RIVERSIDE — It was either big plays or big penalties. And the defense remains a big puzzle.

Riverside City College’s Micah Valenzuela tackles Saddleback’s Tyler Dudden in a National Southern Conference game on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos, Contributing Photographer)

Dominic Cox hauled in three highlight-reel touchdown receptions, but the Riverside City College football team could not hold onto a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter before losing 40-34 to Saddleback in double overtime Saturday afternoon at Wheelock Stadium.

“It’s a mixed emotion,” Cox said. “We played hard today but we beat ourselves.”

The Upland High graduate had eight catches for a career-high 208 yards but was twice penalized for taunting Saddleback’s defense during scoring plays.

“We shot

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