ROCKLIN — Michael Grant and the Sierra College defense are always trying to outdo their offensive teammates.

In the Wolverines’ Valley Conference opener, the defense nearly did.

Grant returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown, the first of three scored by the defense in Sierra’s 54-21 rout of San Joaquin Delta College at Homer “Buzz” Ostrom Stadium Saturday.

“We look at it as a competition between Sierra College defense versus Sierra College offense,” said Grant, a sophomore defensive back. “Our defense tries to outscore our offense. That’s how you make yourselves better. This was just a big win.”

Rested after a bye last weekend, the Wolverines (6-0), who entered the game atop the Northern California rankings, dominated the No. 7 Mustangs (4-2) from kickoff to take a commanding 34-0 halftime lead.

In winning its sixth game, Sierra clinched a bowl game appearance.

“We’re going to keep going but being qualified for a bowl game already is outstanding,” head coach Jeff Tisdel said. “It’s special.”

If the defense weren’t impressive enough — scoring three touchdowns and holding Delta to negative rushing yardage — Sierra’s special teams were just as stellar.

“The difference in the game was we were exceptional in the kicking game, all day,” Tisdel said. “We got a punt blocked with a short field, a snap fumbled in the end zone, we had good kickoff returns and excellent field position.”

Sierra defensive back Dominique Walker fell on a fumble in the Delta end zone on a botched punt snap for Sierra’s fifth first-half touchdown.

“Our defense is an opportunistic defense and I want them to play like they’re on offense,” Tisdel said.

Earlier in the half, linebacker Mike Springer blocked a punt inside the Mustangs 5-yard line, setting up a short touchdown run for Lamon Muldrow.

After finishing with only 45 yards on 22 carries in Sierra’s 30-27 overtime win at San Mateo on Oct. 4, Muldrow broke through for 109 yards on 17 carries against Delta. He scored three touchdowns on runs of 6, 4 and 19 yards.

C.J. Woodbury finished with 11 carries for 99 yards, the majority of which came on a 69-yard scoring scamper off right tackle on the second play from scrimmage following a missed field goal by the Mustangs in the second quarter.

Delta spoiled the shutout early in the third quarter on a 66-yard catch-and-run between quarterback Pietro Murdaca and receiver Zuri Nance.

Sierra added fourth-quarter scores on a 41-yard pass from quarterback Alex Rump to Brandon Michalkiewicz and a 10-yard interception return by Houston Roots.

“Our defense was the main thing,” Woodbury said. “Our defense held the team together. I’m proud of the defense. Those turnovers really helped us today.”

The Wolverines also committed three turnovers of their own, but Tisdel had little else to complain about.

“That was the stale part of it, but coming off a bye, when you score 54 points, however you score them is pretty good.”

Sierra travels to Coalinga to play West Hills College in a Valley Conference game next Saturday at 1 p.m.