Cougars Hold On Against Glendale City College

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - In an evenly matched game against College of the Canyons and Glendale City College, the Cougar defense made the difference in the Cougars' fifth win of the year as they garnered two interceptions, including one that was ran in for a score, in a 14-6 win for COC.

COC's defensive back Antwan Smith recorded his second pick of the year on Saturday night, but this time he also recorded his first points of the year.

College of the Canyons withstood the conference's best past defense by getting some help from a running game, that carried the ball for 130 yards. With the offense hitting the ground, COC's conference leading scoring defense did its part by holding the Vaqueros to six points, the lowest amount of points given up by COC all season.

The Cougars scored on their second drive – a 41-yard TD carry from sophomore running back Anthony Johnson. With 7:24 left in the game, the extra point from James Rodriguez went through the uprights and COC took a 7-0 lead.

That lead would carry through to the beginning of the third quarter, when Glendale finally got its footing. The first drive of the second half gave the Vaqueros the confidence they were looking for when their quarterback Steve Miller found Brian Williams in the end zone for a 6-yard scoring pass. The failed extra point attempt left the score at 7-6 in favor of the Cougars with 8:33 left in the third quarter.

While COC's offense struggled to get the ball in for a score and Rodriguez missed a 38-yard field goal, the ball was turned over to the Vaqueros on the Glendale 21-yard line. On Glendale's first pass of the drive, Smith grabbed the pass for a 25-yard touchdown interception, putting the final points up for COC.

COC held the conference's leading rusher Jorge Chaidez to five carries for eight yards. In Josh Gibbs' first game back from a two-game absence, he tallied an interception for 40 yards and four tackles, three solo. Kenny Shanahan and Evan Harrington led the defense with eight tackles each. Arron Fisher chipped in a game-high five pass break ups.

Johnson led with 10 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown. Quarterbacks Justin Morales and Eric Brown combined for 100 yards and no interceptions and wide receiver D.J. Stephens had three receptions for 44 yards.

The Cougars improved to 2-1 in conference and 5-2 overall. Glendale drops to 0-2 in conference and 3-3 overall. COC is now tied with Allan Hancock for third, behind Bakersfield (6-1, 3-0) and Ventura (5-1, 2-0).

COC will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24 as they travel to Ventura College for a 7 p.m. match up.