Cougars Hang On 20-19 Over Orange Coast 

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

Freshmen Jomar Adams and Jared Mims each hauled in long touchdown passes, and the Cougars' defense came away with one final stop as College of the Canyons defeated Orange Coast College 20-19 on Saturday.

The victory was the second straight for Canyons (3-5, 3-2) which has posted a 2-1 record since its mid-season bye week. All three of the Cougars' victories this season have now come by six or fewer points. Meanwhile, COC lost its first three contests of the year by a combined nine points.

Mims was first to reach the end zone for Canyons after taking a 36-yard pass from Jazel Riley IV to the house. Justin Assadi's PAT was good, and the Cougars led 7-0.

Orange Coast (0-8, 0-5) answered back on its ensuing possession with a 10-play drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown toss from Keanu Vasquez to Joseph Flanniga. The Pirates' PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 8:37 to go in the half.

Canyons added its second score when Adams took Riley's second touchdown pass 68 yards to move ahead 13-7 after a failed PAT attempt, leaving just 22 ticks in the half.

Riley finished the game 11-of-20 for 233 yards and the two touchdowns. He also rushed for 60 yards on eight carries, including a 51-yard touchdown run.

The rushing score from Riley moved the score to 20-7 with 7:55 to play.

But the Pirates quickly answered back, with Vasquez finding Zain Prater for a 20-yard touchdown pass, part of an eight-play scoring drive. After a muffed snap on the PAT the score remained 20-13.

Despite a 40-yard catch from Adams on its next drive, Canyons couldn't add any more points as the Pirates forced running back Isaiah Rameau to fumble, eventually recovering on the OCC 33-yard line.

Rameau was the game's leading rusher with 74 yards on 20 carries. Adams finished with five catches for 125 yards to lead all receivers and was named the Chick-Fil-A Valencia Town Center Player of the Game. Mims was next with four catches for 91 yards.

Orange Coast found the end zone one more time, however, with Vasquez and company able to find paydirt on a seven-yard strike to Grady Chancello that moved the Pirates to within a point at 20-19.

OCC, still looking for its first win of the season, opted to go for two, but was unable to convert.

After a last gasp onside kick from the Pirates, Canyons emerged victorious 20-19.

Vasquez finished the game 32-of-51 for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Prater was OCC's leading receiver with 58 yards on three receptions.

Datavious Bledsoe led Canyons with eight tackles and a forced fumble. Judah Plett recovered that fumble along with a pass break up and tackle for loss. Jonathan Kanaley recorded the Cougars' only sack.

Canyons continued SCFA National Division, Central League play Saturday, Nov. 1, with a road trip to No. 1 Golden West College (8-0, 5-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. with that game being broadcast to fans via SoCalCollegeSports.com

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Carla Sophia Velasco/COC Sports Information