Yuba, San Jose City looking for first victory

Something has to give tonight.

The Yuba College football team heads into San Jose City College feeling like it could be 2-0 instead of 0-2, to face a team that also is looking for its first win of the season.

On paper, Yuba has to like its chances.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the optimism is sophomore receiver Marcus Allen, who comes into the game with 13 catches for 146 yards and four touchdowns.

He leads the state in scoring with 26 points and is tied for 18th in all-purpose yardage with 119.5 per game.

If San Jose has an obvious weakness, it is in its pass defense where the Jaguars have allowed a whopping 286 yards per game.

That statistic alone pushes San Jose to 33rd in the state in total defense, while the 49ers - buoyed by the third best rush defense in the state at 23.5 yards per game - ranks ninth in overall defense.

The 49ers also hold a statistical edge on the offensive side with more yards rushing (119.5 per game), passing (130 yards per game) and scoring (20.5 per game), putting Yuba 21st in the state at 249.5 yards per game.

San Jose is 32nd in offense with 152.5 yards per game.

But that's a paper chase.

Yuba comes into this road game feeling like it has been chasing ghosts.

The 49ers have had fourth-quarter leads in each of its first two games only to watch the advantage disappear, in large part to their own mistakes.

The special teams have not played well, and penalties and

other miscues have cost the 49ers at critical times this year.

With only three games before Yuba gears up for Bay Valley Conference play, the 49ers are looking to show a little more discipline and consistency against the Jaguars.

San Jose's primary weapon has been running back Marlon Rosales, who has carried the ball 29 times for 118 yards (4.4 average) and one touchdown. His longest run of the season is 30 yards.

The Jaguars also have played some stiff competition, losing last week to Laney, which is ranked 18th in the state. Their first loss was to Diablo Valley, which is ranked 19th in Northern California.

Yuba has not played a state-ranked foe. Monterey Peninsula is tied for 15th in the Northern California rankings, while West Valley is ranked 20th.

Yuba coach Ted Hoal could not be reached for comment.