HAYWARD — College of San Mateo quarterback Kevin Linnell is the eternal optimist. No matter how bad or how ugly a game gets, he’ll see a Monet or Picasso. That’s exactly what happened in the aftermath of the Bulldogs’ 21-14 win over host Chabot College on Saturday in a game that involved 24 penalties — count ‘em 24 — for 171 yards, seven turnovers, including four by CSM, and some miscommunication by officials that left everyone dazed and confused at one point.

“It was beautiful,” Linnell said, “because we got the win.”

The Bulldogs (1-0) did exactly that, although how remains a better question. They rushed for a school-record 463 yards, and could’ve had even more had it not been for three touchdowns negated by holding penalties. CSM had to overcome 15 penalties totaling 126 yards, which is believed to be the team’s highest total in the last five years. One thing is for certain: The Bulldogs are not lacking for team speed as they were a year ago. CSM busted off 10 plays that netted 20 yards or more, showing the kind of explosiveness that will be needed when NorCal Conference plays starts in a couple of weeks. Freshman Ryan Faumuina (seven carries, 92 yards), a 5-foot-9, 205-pound tailback out of San Leandro High, came up with perhaps the biggest play of the night when he rushed for a 58-yard touchdown to make it 21-7 with 4:41 left in the third quarter.

It was a huge turn in a game filled with enough pendulum swings to last a season. Faumuina’s run came moments after CSM quarterback Julian Edelman had thrown an interception that was returned for a touchdown, cutting the Bulldogs’ lead to 14-7. A play before that, Edelman had a spectacular 86-yard TD run called back on a holding penalty. It was one of three turnovers by Edelman, who for the most part alternated series with last year’s starter, Linnell. Both proved effective, although Linnell, who played 52 downs to Edelman’s 19, was a bit steadier. He rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries, including a 10-yard TD, and completed 6-of-10 passes for 54 yards. Edelman, whose athleticism conjures up images of a junior college version of Michael Vick, rushed for 50 yards on six carries and was 2 of 5 for 43 yards. It’s clear that CSM boasts one of the best 1-2 punches at quarterback in Northern California, but every team seeking a championship needs its defense to stand and deliver.

The Bulldogs’ defense yielded 361 yards, but came up with a huge stand just before halftime after one of the quirkiest scenes in recent memory. Chabot quarterback Brandon Roesler completed a 29-yard pass to Steve Johnson, who was pushed out of bounds at the 1-yard line as time expired. The sideline judge signaled the first half was over, and all of the CSM players were off the field when the head official ordered that six seconds be put back on the clock. A miscommunication among the officials led to the confusion, and Bulldogs coach Larry Owens argued vehemently, to no avail. When play resumed, Chabot had a first-and-goal from the 1, but Roesler was stuffed at the 3 before fumbling to end the half. Linebackers Joey Guntren and Kyle Ballard and lineman David Lomu made some key tackles, while CSM’s ball-hawking secondary of Ryan Battle, Justin Cain and John Harris had one interception apiece.

“This would’ve been a tough one to lose,” Owens said. “We have a lot of things to work on, and it showed tonight. But I liked the fact that the team made the plays when they had to and overcame the mistakes that would cost a lot of teams.”

Sean Connor carried 15 times for 96 yards, and Michael Harris had two carries for 66. E.J. Boganey had a flashy 12-yard scoring run in the second quarter, and Linnell credited his O-line — led by Andrew Havili and James Tretheway — for a CSM’s record-breaking night of offense.

“Our line is probably the best in junior college football,” Linnell said. “I’ve never seen a group prepare for a season with more heart and determination. Honestly, I didn’t if we were going to win the way the penalties were going. That just shows what this team is made of.