Cougars Trample Pirates in Conference Home Opener

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons Cougars (1-2 overall, 1-0 conference) ended a two-game losing streak by shutting out visiting Ventura College Pirates (1-2 overall, 0-1 conference), 54-0 in the first conference game of the season.

The Cougars, who have never lost more than two consecutive games in a season, improved their conference opener record to 8-1. The only loss was in 1999, when the team lost at Glendale 33-28. COC also continued its conference win streak, which began in 2000, with its 44th consecutive Western State Conference win.

Unlike the past two games, the Cougars came out with confidence and put the first points up on the board for COC with 10:45 left in the first off a 35-yard Paul Weinstein field goal. The Pirates' offense had a hard time sizing up to the Cougar defense that held Ventura to only nine first downs and 100 offensive yards, as Ventura could not score on its first possession. The Cougars jumped on the opportunity to score again as quarterback Andrew Miramontes ran into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown, and put the team up 10-0 with 5:32 left in the first quarter.

As the Pirates continued to try and get something going, Ventura quarterback Andre Toilolo, added to the frustration as he threw for an interception that was caught by defensive back Amyene Williams. Miramontes, 18-of-26 for 236 yards and three touchdowns, capitalized on Williams' pick when he connected on his first touchdown pass with J.T. Wright for 11 yards, just 13 seconds into the second quarter.

The Cougars, up by 17 points, continued their success with a trick play. Miramontes gave the ball to wide receiver Terence Scott as he dropped back and threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Jovonne Augustus with 4:57 left in the first half. Up by 24, the Cougars scored one more time in the half on Weinstein's 23-yard field goal to end the half.

Riding a 27-point lead at halftime, Miramontes and Collin Franklin put up six more points on a five-yard pass with 10:15 left in the third. Running back Thomas Kyle also put his name in the books with a three-yard touchdown run at the 8:51 mark in the third. Weinstein missed the point after attempt that went wide left – he went 6-of-7 on PAT kicks – but still had the Cougars up by 40.

COC added one more passing touchdown from Miramontes. This time, Scott took his regular role as a wide receiver and caught a 12-yard pass at the 4:15 mark in the third.

As the Cougars developed a comfortable 47-0 lead over the Pirates, back-up quarterback Ryan Whitcomb took over the passing duties. He scored the last touchdown for the team on a 5-yard keeper to end the third quarter.

As a team, the Cougars collected 586 total offensive yardage, 304 from rushing and 282 from passing, which came close to the team record of 594 yards that has been held since 1998.

Running back Brian Stuart broke the 100 yard mark as he led the Cougars with 14 carries for 109 yards and added two receptions for 22 yards.

The defense, which tallied its first shutout of the year, was led by Williams with an interception, two pass break-ups and two tackles. Defensive back Paymi Pitts added a fumble recovery, an interception and a pass break-up.

The Cougars will travel to take on the undefeated Moorpark Raiders (3-0 overall, 1-0 in conference) this Saturday. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.