McDonald bound for Las Cruces

Former Newport Harbor High quarterback Andrew McDonald, a two-time first-team all-conference performer the last two seasons at Santa Ana College, has committed to continue his football career at New Mexico State University, Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley said Thursday.

McDonald, who walked on at Arizona before triggering the Santa Ana offense, completed 169 of 273 passes for 2,033 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. He threw seven interceptions and his 61.9% completion rate ranked ninth in the state.

McDonald threw for 4,226 yards and 50 touchdowns in two seasons with the Dons, who he helped post a 9-2 record and play in a bowl game in 2010. Santa Ana was 5-5 in 2011.

McDonald threw for 3,207 yards in two seasons as the starter at Newport Harbor, which went 15-7 during his tenure under Brinkley. As a senior, McDonald completed 66.1% of his passes for 15 touchdowns and only six interceptions on his way to first-team All-Sunset League and Newport-Mesa Dream Team recognition.

New Mexico State, based in Las Cruces, was 4-9, 2-4 in the Western Athletic Conference under Coach DeWayne Walker in 2011. In Walker’s three seasons, the Aggies were 9-29.

McDonald is the son of Paul McDonald, a former USC All-American quarterback who played in the NFL. Andrew McDonald’s older brother, Mike, also starred at Newport Harbor and was a walk-on at USC.

— From staff reports