Cougar Offense Struggles In Conference Home Opener Loss

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – College of the Canyons opened its conference season with a 19-16 overtime loss to Allan Hancock on Saturday night, marking only the second time that the Cougars have lost a conference opener since the football program was reinstated in 1998.

Allan Hancock scored a 1-yard TD in overtime after the Cougars could only muster a 30-yard field goal in the extra period, moving the Bulldogs to a perfect 5-0 record halfway through the regular season.

COC drops to 3-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference, after coming off a big win last weekend against then No. 3 ranked Fullerton College. COC, the defending National Division, Northern Conference champions, collected 360 total yards and held Allan Hancock to 228 yards, but couldn't get the ball in the end zone going 1-of-4 in red zone opportunities.

COC had to play catch up the entire game, falling behind early for the second week in a row. Saturday, the Cougars found themselves trailing 13-0 after they scored on a 58-yard interception return in the first quarter and 2-yard rushing TD in the second.

The Cougars finally grabbed their first points at the end of the first half on a 40-yard field goal by James Rodriguez to close the gap 13-3.

Canyons scored on its first possession of the second half on another Rodriguez field goal – this time a 28 yarder, with 12:48 left in the third quarter.

The COC defense held the Bulldog attack in the third and fourth quarter, including a late surge in the final minutes that could have given Allan Hancock the win.

College of the Canyons tied it up in the fourth quarter with its one and only touchdown of the game. A nine-play, 70-yard march down the field that was capped off with a Justin Morales' 36-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Stephens. The extra point from Rodriguez was good and the Cougars tied up the game with 7:24 remaining.

In the extra period, COC had trouble moving the ball, and eventually settling for a 30-yard field goal from Rodriguez. Allan Hancock had much better luck moving the  ball, as a 15-yard facemask penalty on COC helped set up the Bulldogs go ahead score.

Saturday's defeat marked only the second time COC has lost in overtime, dropping the Cougars all-time record in extra periods to 4-2, since 1998.

Morales was 10-of-16 for 140 yards and one touchdown. Running back Nick Hale had 16 carries for 55 yards and Stephens collected 106 yards on six catches for his second consecutive game with 100+ receiving yards.

Linebacker Evan Harrington tallied 10 tackles, 8 solo, a forced fumble and two sacks. Defensive back Larry Smith also chipped in three pass break ups.

COC will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 10 as they travel to Moorpark for a 6 p.m. game.