Allan Hancock Spoils Cougar's Conference Home Opener

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons football team tallied 506 yards of total offense, but made some crucial mistakes down the stretch that ended up costing them a victory, as the Cougars lost to Allan Hancock 34-27 Saturday night.

The first miscue occurred when the Cougars fumbled at the Bulldogs 1-yard line and the second mistake was when they fumbled a punt return in the fourth quarter. 

COC went into halftime with a 21-19 lead, but the offense sputtered in the second half. They fumbled the ball two times, including a turnover on Allan Hancock's one-yard line, and couldn't convert on any touchdown drives.

The Cougars defense got off to a slow start, allowing two touchdowns in the first quarter. They gave up 225 yards rushing and 155 yards passing to the Bulldogs. However, the defense improved a lot in the second half, as they allowed only one offensive score. 

The COC offense scored 21 points in the first half, but was held to only two field goals in the second half. The offense was very balanced, as they rushed for 238 yards and passed for 268 yards.

The Cougars first touchdown came in the first quarter, with an 11-play, 79-yard drive that was capped off with a two-yard rushing touchdown by freshmen running back Matt Bowen. 

Sophomore kicker Jeff Flores tied the game at 27-27 with 13:13 left in the fourth quarter, but then Allan Hancock returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown that gave the Bulldogs the lead.

COC had two more possessions in the fourth quarter, including a drive that led all the way to the Allan Hancock's 1-yard line, but a fumble and the inability to get a first down kept COC out of the end zone.

This was only the Cougars fifth loss against Allan Hancock, dating back to 1998, when football was reinstated at the college.

Sophomore quarterback Chris Rini went 18-of-25 for 268 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Jerrel Jordan had five catches for 98 yards and freshman wide receiver Louis Gipson had five catches for 53 yards and score. 

Bowen had a breakout performance, rushing for 184 yards and two scores, while Rini rushed for 33 yards.

Freshmen safety Jesse Sampson led the Cougars with eight tackles and freshmen linebackers Jens Jeters and Charlie Hosea had six tackles apiece.

The Cougars are now 3-4 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.

COC will hit the road Saturday, Oct. 29, as they try to snap a three-game losing streak against Cerritos College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.