Despite scoring the most points in a game since 2023, the Tucson Sugar Skulls fell to the Bay Area Panthers 68-57 Friday night at SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Bay Area snapped Tucson’s two-game winning streak after the Sugar Skulls beat the Arizona Rattlers and Massachusetts Pirates.
The Panthers led the entire game and held a 19-point lead, as the Sugar Skulls trailed 47-43 entering the fourth quarter, but a 32-yard touchdown pass from Bay Area quarterback Josh Jones to receiver Tyrese Chambers and a rushing touchdown by Jones put the Panthers up 68-51.
Jones accounted for seven touchdowns (three passing and four rushing) on Friday.
Sugar Skulls quarterback Jorge Reyna (11) gets just enough time behind the blocking of offensive lineman Dallas Reins (75) to get off a first down pass against Massachusetts in the fourth quarter of their IFL game in Tucson on May 10, 2025.
Tucson quarterback Jorge Reyna completed 10 of 20 passes for 127 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Reyna also had two rushing touchdowns.
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Bay Area dominated in time of possession, holding the ball over 15 more minutes than Tucson despite having five fewer offensive plays than the Sugar Skulls. The Panthers edged Tucson in total offense, 275-224.
Up next: The Sugar Skulls (3-4) enter a bye week and return to Tucson for back-to-back home games. Tucson will take on the San Antonio Gunslingers on Saturday, May 31, at 6:05 p.m., then host the San Diego Strike Force on Saturday, June 7, at 6:05 p.m.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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