COC Falls To Two-Time Defending State Champion Mt. SAC

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons football team gained 270 yards in total offense Saturday, but was held to a field goal and touchdown by the two-time defending state champion Mt. SAC, and the visiting Mounties outlasted the Cougars 17-10 in a non-conference game at Cougar Stadium. 

For the second game in a row, the passing game didn't find the end zone and had to rely on the running backs and special teams to create offense for the Cougars.

The match up came down to defense as both play callers were stifled by the opposing defense.

COC quarterback Chris Rini was 13-of-25 for 122 yards and was sacked five times and Mt. SAC's quarterback Cameron Deen, who threw for 348 yards in week one's game against Victor Valley, was held to 140 yards.

After COC got on the board first to end the first quarter, driving the ball 40 yards in 10 plays, to finish with a Jeff Flores 44-yard field goal. Mt. SAC immediately answered with a 8-play, 53 yard march that was completed with a 13-yard touchdown carry into the endzone.

Mt. SAC added a 42-yard field goal with 9:12 left in the first half to take a 10-3 lead over the Cougars.

The third quarter was back-and-forth, with both teams struggling offensively, but the Mounties were finally able to score at the end of the third, to take a 17-3. 

Canyons reacted with a touchdown of its own, a 5-yard carry by sophomore wide receiver Jerrel Jordan, with 9:53 left in the game.

COC gave it one last try in the final five minuts of the game but fell short of the first down that they needed.

Sophomore running back Jamie Wilson led the offense with 14 carries for 80 yards and punter Joey Roth had seven punts for 285 yards for a 40.7 average. Roth also put two of his punts inside the 20-yard line.

The Cougar defense was led by sophomre safety Jarrett Tryon and sophomore defensive end Nick Oliva. Tryon recorded seven tackles and a interception and Oliva had six solo tackles in the game.

Canyons will travel to Citrus College on Saturday, Sept. 17 for its first home game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.