Resilient Riordan begins renewal with emotional opening victory

There were a load of penalties in the first half. Undisciplined play. And there was a fumble near the end zone late that could have cost Riordan a win in its season-opening football game Friday at Terra Nova-Pacific. But instead, behind 240 yards rushing and four touchdowns by Fazon Ruth and four sacks from Ian Tupulua, the Crusaders prevailed, 28-26, in the West Coast head coaching debut of Mark Modeste.