EPHRAIM — The Snow College Badgers remained undefeated after tallying an important win over Eastern Arizona College on Saturday, but the victory was unconvincing at best.
Snow coach Titan Trimble accepted the 20-14 home win, at the same recognizing it was not a result of his team playing exceptionally well.
"A win is a win is a win," he said.
Trimble had plenty to say about improvements that need to be made. Particularly frustrating for him was that Snow missed both field-goal attempts, making the Badgers 2-for-11 on field goals on the season.
"We've gotta fix the field-goal situation," he said. "That's killing me."
Another problem continually emerging for Snow is penalties. Snow gave up 77 yards on nine penalties Saturday.
One of Snow's penalties — an unsportsmanlike conduct call on defensive lineman Tonga Tea for hurling vulgar expletives at an opponent — resulted in a first down for Eastern Arizona on what should have been a punt.
The resulting drive ended in a Gila Monster touchdown and a two-point conversion, which tied the game at 14 and put the Badgers in real danger of losing the momentum and the game.
"We've got to maintain our composure," Trimble said.
Snow overcame the setback late in the fourth quarter, however, and a 28-yard run from Snow's Matt Asiata clinched a Badger win.
Snow's kicking and anger-management woes aside, the Badgers did prove a
point, even if only dubiously. They scored 20 points on a team that had previously allowed only two. It held the same team — which had racked up 106 points in two games — to only 14.
Snow faces Mesa Community College next week at home.