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The Sugar Skulls dropped its third straight game — including back-to-back contests in Tucson — to the San Diego Strike Force, 58-42, Saturday night at Tucson Arena.

After wins over the defending IFL champion Arizona Rattlers and the Massachusetts Pirates, the Sugar Skulls lost to the Bay Area Panthers, San Antonio Gunslingers and San Diego.

Tucson has lost five straight games to San Diego dating back to the 2023 season. The Sugar Skulls drop to 5-19 in nearly two seasons with head coach Billy Back at the helm. They currently sit at fifth in the IFL Western Conference standings.

The Strike Force jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Sugar Skulls running back Jamyest Williams cut the deficit to a possession with a 5-yard rushing touchdown.

Tucson had a chance to tie the game following a fourth-down pass breakup by Sugar Skulls defensive back Brion Murray and a missed field goal by San Diego kicker Ernest Lacayo, but quarterback Jorge Reyna threw a costly pick-six to Strike Force defensive back Tareke Lewis, who returned Reyna’s error 22 yards for a touchdown, taking a 21-7 lead.

The Strike Force maintained a two-touchdown lead throughout the entire second half.

Reyna completed 23 of 31 passes for 247 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. San Diego quarterback and IFL veteran Nate Davis passed for 192 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions on Saturday.

Reyna’s top target was wide receiver and backup quarter Larry “Tripp� Harrington, who hauled in 10 catches for 95 yards and four touchdowns; three of those touchdowns were in the second half.

Tucson (3-6) will now hit the road to face in-state rival Arizona Rattlers (7-3) at Gila River Arena in Glendale on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. for the season rubber match.

Arizona won the season-opening battle in March, but the Sugar Skulls upset the Rattlers 42-35 in Tucson last month. Tucson hasn’t beaten the Rattlers on the road since 2023.