COC Defeats Ventura In Dramatic Fashion

VENTURA, Calif. - College of the Canyons sophomore kicker Jeff Flores put a 23-yard field goal between the uprights as time expired on Saturday night in front of a roaring crowd at Ventura College's Sportsplex to defeat Ventura College 36-34.

Flores capped off a six-play, 86-yard drive that took only 46 seconds, which was orchestrated by sophomore quarterback Chris Rini who threw three passes, including a 44-yard connection with freshman wide receiver Louis Gipson that brought COC to 1st and goal on the Ventura six-yard line.

Rini threw for 433 yards on 33-of-49 passing, while freshman wide receiver Louis Gipson hauled in a game-high 10 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman safety Jarrett Tryon had a pair of interceptions for the defense.

The Cougars scored on their second possession, finishing off an 11-play, 49-yard drive with Rini's 8-yard pass to sophomore running back Jamie Wilson to take a 7-0 lead against Ventura.

After Ventura tied the score up in the second quarter, COC struck first in the second half taking a 9-7 lead on a safety after a COC kickoff.

On the following possession COC added three more points when Flores hit a 43-yard field goal.

Canyons put seven more points up on the board in the third quarter after a 1-yard carry from Wilson into the end zone to give COC a 19-7 advantage with five minutes left in the third quarter.

But COC would allow the Pirates back into the game, giving up 14 unanswered points to end the third quarter and take a 21-19 lead.

The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including two with Rini passing to Gipson.

With COC leading 33-28 and just 5:28 left in the game, Rini threw a pick that was returned for a touchdown, giving Ventura a 34-33 lead.

On Ventura's final possession of the game, COC's Jarrett Tryon intercepted his second pass of the night and ran it 20 yards to the COC 25. But an illegal block in the back moved COC back to its own 29-yard line.

With just 47 seconds left on the clock, Rini went 3-of-4 to get COC down the field and into field goal range, where Flores would win the game for the Cougars.

Freshman defensive back Jesse Sampson led the Canyons defense with 10 tackles, three solo.

The defense also held Ventura to 47 yards passing, but gave up 286 yards rushing.

The Cougars are now 4-5 overall and 1-3 in conference.

They will play host to Bakersfield College at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12.