Cougars Suffer Second Conference Loss To No. 2 Ventura

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Despite outgaining No. 2 Ventura College in total offensive yards in the game, 545 yards to 363 yards, the College of the Canyons football team suffered its fifth loss of the season, 44-37 on Saturday night in Cougar Stadium.

Canyons had a chance to tie up the game in the final minutes of the game, but a costly turnover with 34 seconds left in the game, gave COC no chance of coming back.

Kasdorf threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Kwasi Washington right before the end of the first quarter followed by a 7-yard connection with freshman running back Drew Phillips to take a 14-13 lead over the Pirates.

Following a Ventura score and 21-yard field goal, the Cougars trailed 23-14 in the second quarter, but after touchdown runs by freshman running backs Andre Davis and Earl Johnson, they were able to take a 27-23 lead into halftime.

After the break, the Pirates returned the opening kickoff 93-yards for a touchdown, which gave them the lead and momentum.

Ventura College outscored COC 14-3 in the third quarter, giving them a 37-30 advantage going into the fourth period.

Trailing 44-30 early in the fourth quarter, Kasdorf led a seven-play, 65-yard scoring drive, capped off by an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Shane Drozdowski, which brought the Cougars within seven points with 11 minutes left to go in the game.

The COC offense had one last chance to tie the game up, as Kasdorf threw a 40-yard completion to freshman wide receiver Tim White in Pirates territory, but unfortunately he fumbled and Ventura recovered with a minute remaining to secure the victory.

Kasdorf threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a season-high 110 yards on the night and two of his touchdowns came in the first half.

White led the team with five catches for 109 yards and Washington had six catches for 67 yards and a score.

Freshman linebacker Joey Cicoria tallied nine tackles, while sophomore defensive back Jesse Sampson had seven tackles. 

The Cougars will have a bye this week and then they travel to Moorpark College on Saturday, Oct. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.