By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
It is really simple. You can’t spot a good team 24 points and expect to win.
Just ask the TVCC Cardinals, who lost to No. 4 Snow College Saturday night in the Battle in the Valley, 56-43, after falling behind 24-0 midway through the second quarter.
The No. 7 Cardinals were able to close to within a touchdown of the Badgers in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too much to overcome.
Sophomore quarterback Colton Atkinson threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more, but also tossed three interceptions.
Defensively, Jayrin Wilson came up with two interceptions for the Cardinals. Artiss Henderson also recovered a fumble for TVCC.
The Cardinal’s special teams blocked two Badger extra points, with blocks by Azuka Mgbemena and Jamir Williams. Eric Cuffee returned one block all the way for a 2-point play for TVCC.
The Cardinals are on the road next week at New Mexico Military Institute. They will be back at Bruce Field in two weeks to take on Tyler Junior College in a Southwest Junior College Football Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.