Football Recap: Nevada Union Comes Up Short Despite Craig Statler's Big Defensive Game + How To Watch

Nevada Union was the 33-20 winner over Yuba City when they last played one another back in November of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. The Miners fell just short of the Honkers by a score of 28-25 on Friday. That's two games in a row now that the Miners have lost by exactly three points.

Rhyder Eelkema

Rushing Yards

10/31/25 vs Yuba City	176
10/24/25 @ Placer	209
10/17/25 vs Del Campo	181
10/03/25 vs Twelve Bridges	131
09/26/25 @ Antioch	143
+ 3 more games

When it comes to explaining why Nevada Union lost, don't look at Rhyder Eelkema. Despite the final result, he rushed for 176 yards and a pair of TDs while picking up 7.3 yards per carry. Eelkema's rushing production has been exceptional as that marked his eighth straight game with at least 131 rushing yards. Brandon McCallum helped out on the ground, rushing for 101 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Even if they lost, Nevada Union's defense still kept up the pressure with four sacks. Yuba City's QB won't forget Craig Statler anytime soon given he sacked him twice. Statler is becoming a predictor of Nevada Union's success: when he posts at least one sack the team is 2-1 (and 1-6 when he doesn't). The Miners got some further help from Austin Putnam: he picked up a sack and made 14 total tackles.

Yuba City's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Dante Lepe, who picked up 183 receiving yards and two scores. The team also got some help courtesy of Hank Watson, who rushed for 133 yards and one touchdown on only 14 carries.

Nevada Union has traveled a rocky road recently, having lost six of their last seven games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 3-7 record this season. As for Yuba City, the win got them back to even at 5-5.

Nevada Union and Yuba City are set to take part in some playoff action in their next matches. The Miners will challenge Sacramento at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. As for Yuba City, they will take on Antelope at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.