Cougar Offense Struggles Against Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. – College of the Canyons fumbled the ball seven times, and coupled with a struggling offense the Cougars dropped their second conference game of the season to Ventura, 23-6.

COC, who has now lost the ball 22 times to opponents, gave up five of the seven fumbles to the Pirates who turned the Cougars' bad luck into 10 points.  Matters got even worse for Canyons as the offense could only get into Ventura territory four times in the game and never had the ball in its hands longer than 3:10, which was the last touchdown drive of the game.

COC ended its first two drives of the game with fumbles – the first one on the COC 19-yard line that set up the Pirates first score of the evening and the second one nearly at the 50-yard marker.

Ventura scored one more touchdown in the first half after a long punt return started the Pirates on the COC 15-yard line.  Three plays later, Ventura was back in the end zone and up 14-0 with 2:41 left in the first quarter.

COC didn't allow the Pirates to score any more touchdowns the rest of the night, keeping Ventura to only field goals.

Despite the issues with the offense, the defense did have its highlights. With the Pirates charging in the third quarter, Ventura had first-and-goal on the 8-yard line. COC sustained three drives from the Pirates that brought them to the 1-yard line, but held Ventura out of the end zone as they settled for an 18-yard field goal. 

COC narrowly missed the shutout, an event that has not occurred since the program was reinstated in 1998, when quarterback Justin Morales pushed the Cougars 65 yards downfield in a drive that was finished off with a 5-yard TD pass to wide receiver Mychal Rivera. James Rodriguez's extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the final score at 23-6.

Ventura doubled the amount of time their offense was on the field Saturday night, 40:04 minutes, compared to the Cougars who only saw 19:56 on the field. COC had 216 yards of total offense, the lowest total of the season thus far, and gave up 301 yards to the Pirates.

Defensive back Kenny Shanahan had a game-high 12 tackles, four solo and Kalen Powell had eight tackles, four solo, to lead the Cougar defense.

Running back Nick Hale had seven carries for 43 yards and wide receiver CJ Atkins garnered three carries for 43 yards. Quarterback Eric Brown was 7-of-11 for 52 yards and Morales was 2-of-4 for 60 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver DJ Stephens had two catches for 51 yards.

The Cougars take a much-needed break this week and will resume play on Saturday, Nov. 7 as they travel to Pasadena City College for a 7 p.m. match up.