Compton, Calif. - The Tartars battled back from a 23-0 halftime deficit, but came up short, falling 30-21 against Mt. San Jacinto on Saturday evening in the team's home opener in Tay Brown Stadium.

Freshman Josh Campbell started off the scoring for the Tartars, powering his way into the endzone with 4:49 left in the third after a 74-yard drive by the Tartars to cut the deficit to 23-7.

After a score from the Eagles late in the third quarter, sophomore Harold Johnson counted an 11-yard pass from freshman Robert Pimentel with 8:37 to go in the game with sophomore Gregory Filer III giving the Tartars back-to-back touchdowns on a 31-yard pick six. But the Eagles (1-0) controlled the ball for the remainder of the game, halting Compton's comeback.

Freshman Robert Pimentel went 5-of-9 for 23 yards and a touchdown, adding 13 rushing yards. The backfield combined for 112 rushing yards from 10 different Tartar players. 

Defensively, sophomore David Cooper posted 9.5 tackles, eight of which were unassisted, and sophomore Samuel Shirley tallied 6.5 tackles. 

The Tartars (0-2) continue their homestand, hosting San Diego Mesa next on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (60+) and staff/faculty with ID, $3 for students with valid ID, and free for students with a valid ASB sticker or children 12 and under.