The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.
Team captain was ejected from season opener for targeting; suspension overturned Monday
College of San Mateo sophomore Malaki Te’o has been cleared to start in this Saturday’s football home opener.
Malaki Te’o
A middle linebacker and the Bulldogs’ team captain on defense, Te’o was ejected from last Saturday’s season opener at Sierra College for a targeting penalty in the first quarter. The penalty can also carry with it a suspension, necessitating the player sit out two full halves of play. Following the ejection, he missed the entire second half of CSM’s 27-26 win over Sierra.
Following the game, CSM head coach Tim Tulloch said he would appeal the suspension. The appeal was successful after video review by the California Community College Athletic Association. Tulloch said he was informed via phone call Monday from CCCAA commission Craig Rigsbee that Te’o’s suspension would be lifted.
“He has a big impact on our defense and our team,” Tulloch said. “It’s great to have him back where he’s supposed to be on the field.”
A transfer from the NCAA Division I ranks at University of Hawaii, Te’o was playing in his first game for CSM in last Saturday’s season opener.
On his fourth play as a Bulldog, Sierra went to the air, with quarterback Maddox Varella getting flushed from the pocket and rolling right. Te’o was anchoring the left side of the linebacker corps, and took off like a rocket toward Varella as he tried to slip around the edge. Te’o dropped his shoulder and head and levied Varella with a menacing hit, jarring the ball loose for an apparent fumble and causing Varella’s helmet to go flying off.
The play was immediately whistled dead and a penalty flag flew. Te’o was called for a personal foul for targeting and was ejected from the game.
“It was a bang-bang play,” Tulloch said. “The quarterback was running and right before contact, he dropped … his shoulder and head down, and it was too late for Malaki to change his angle. So, it was helmet to helmet.”
Varella immediately got to his feet and went on to enjoy a productive day, going 22-of-35 passing for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
CSM freshman cornerback Trevon Watson was on the field during the play that led to Te’o’s ejection. Watson said he thought Te’o led with his shoulder on the tackle.
“I seen him lead with his shoulder,” Watson said. “But I think it was just because the helmet coming off, that’s why they thought it was helmet to helmet.”
Te’o was replaced by freshman Jeramiah Lewis, who finished the day with one sack. Te’o remained on the sideline for the remainder of the game.
“[The ejection] so turned us down because he brings a lot of energy,” Watson said. “But we bounced back. We knew he wasn’t going to be back, but he was on the sideline hyping us up.”
Te’o was a 2022 graduate of Mater Dei-Santa Ana, and finished his high school varsity career in the Matadors’ 44-7 win over Serra in the 2021 CIF Open Division State Championship Bowl game. He is one of two Mater Dei graduates on CSM’s roster, along with sophomore defensive tackle Ezra Funa.
The Bulldogs open at home this Saturday against Reedley College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
