Cougars Win In Overtime, Named Conference Champions

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – With a record-breaking performance by running back Fred Winborn and an impressive defensive stand in overtime, College of the Canyons defeated Pasadena City College 42-41 on Saturday night — giving the college its first conference title since 2005 and first ever Northern Division, National Conference Championship.

College of the Canyons (9-0, 4-0) got the scoring started early in the first quarter when Winborn capped a 73-yard scoring drive with a four-yard touchdown run, and kicker Ricky Drake booted the extra point for an early 7-0 Cougar lead. 

Less than four minutes later Canyons' quarterback Brad McClellan connected with wide receiver Hayo Carpenter for a 56-yard gain, setting up a seven-yard touchdown run by Winborn and a Drake PAT that made it a 14-0 Cougar advantage. 

On the ensuing possession Pasadena quarterback Eldrin Jones led the Lancers (5-4, 3-2) on a methodical 78-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock and resulted in six-yard touchdown pass to Sean Carraway. The PAT by Pasadena kicker Anthony Bermudes cut the Cougar lead in half. 

Later with the Cougars still cruising McClellan found wide receiver Nate Jones for a 42-yard touchdown, and eventual 21-7 second quarter lead.

Despite the dominant effort put on by the Canyons offense, a wobbly 13-yard punt by Drake late in the half gave Pasadena possession on the Cougar 14-yard line with under two minutes in the quarter. 

Three plays later Lancer fullback/linebacker Roman Pula barreled into the end zone with a five-yard run of his own. A second Bermudes extra point made it a 21-14 game heading into halftime. 

But the Cougar defense stormed out of the locker room at halftime and immediately went on the prowl, unleashing a relentless attack on Eldrin — forcing the young quarterback to throw a pair of costly interceptions. 

Canyons defensive back Kamuela Brito secured the Cougars' first turnover of the night on Pasadena's first possession of the second half. 

On the next Lancer possession Canyons freshman defensive back Josh Gibbs claimed his team leading third interception of the season.

In between turnovers Winborn quietly scored his third touchdown of the night on a one-yard run with 11:35 left in the third quarter. Drake, who finished the game a perfect 6-for-6 in PATs then widened the lead to 28-14. 

Both teams remained quiet throughout the third quarter before opening things up again in the final minutes of the game. But an interception in the end zone by Pasadena defensive back Cuincy Carruthers early in the fourth quarter gave the Lancers the momentum they needed to stage a dramatic come back attempt. 

A quick 72-yard pass from Eldrin to Lancer receiver Owen Dixon set up another Pula touchdown run and made it a 28-21 game with 11:13 to play. On Pasadena's next possession Eldrin again looked to Dixon, this time finding him for a 21-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 28-28 with 4:27 remaining. 

On the Cougars following drive Pasadena cornerback Derek Mack jarred the ball away from wide receiver Nate Jones. The ball was recovered and advanced 17-yards by Pula, this time playing defense, for another Lancer touchdown and a seven-point lead with just 3:28 left on the clock. 

However Canyons quickly regrouped thanks to a 55-yard run by Winborn that put the Cougars in scoring position on the Pasadena 15 yard line.

Five plays later with the Cougar's perfect season on the line, Winborn again found the end zone for his fourth touchdown of the night — sending the game into overtime at 35-35. 

With the ball placed on the Pasadena 25-yard line to begin overtime, backup quarterback Joey Frias came off the bench and rushed for 18 yards on three straight carries to set up Winborn's final one-yard touchdown run. 

The Lancers made the most of their opportunity in overtime as Eldrin quickly found wide receiver Titus Mack for an 11-yard touchdown pass. 

Pasadena head coach James Kuk then opted for a two-point conversion attempt up the gut — whereby Pula was met by a swarm of Cougar defenders and dropped to the ground for a final 42-41 College of the Canyons victory. 

Winborn finished the contest with 235 yards on 27 carries (8.7 yards per carry), en route to breaking the College of the Canyons single game touchdown record with five scores — and leading the Cougars' claim to 450 total yards of offense. McClellan would finish 13-of-23 for 164 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. 

College of the Canyons will next travel to Bakersfield College for the regular season finale, Saturday, Nov. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.