Cougars Dominate Dons to Earn First Victory of Season

SANTA ANA, Calif. – College of the Canyons (1-2) collected its first win of the season in a dominating road performance against Santa Ana College, defeating the Dons 31-10 on Saturday afternoon.

The Cougars' strong road performance came through the running game with COC accumulating 224 yards on the ground, while capitalizing on a slew of turnovers to build an insurmountable lead.

The scoring began late in the first quarter, when COC crossed the goal line on a 4-yard run by running back Sean Bar. An Eric Kreitz extra point gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead to end the first quarter.

Just moments later on Santa Ana's next play from scrimmage, COC linebacker Paul Puebla forced a fumble from Santa Ana's Mario Smith. Cougar linebacker Austin Murillo recovered the ball deep in Dons territory putting COC just 18 yards away from another score.

COC quarterback Tony Dawson's 3-yard scrambling run would put COC up 14-0 going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Santa Ana would cut into COC's lead with a 14-yard Shane Truelove touchdown pass to receiver Malik Richards. The Dons trailed 14-7.

However, COC would answer back when quarterback Tony Dawson complemented his first-quarter touchdown run with a 39-yard pass to wide receiver Anthony Fowler, putting the Cougars up 21-7.

COC's Tony Dawson completed 7-of-13 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown pass while adding 61 yards rushing on 10 attempts including a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, with COC leading 24-10, COC cornerback Devin Brooks would end all hopes of a Santa Ana comeback by returning a punt 42 yards to put COC up for good, 31-10.

In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, COC strong safety Triston Brown intercepted a Shane Truelove pass – Truelove's second of the game – ensuring COC's first victory of the season.

COC's Austin Murillo led the defense's efforts with five total tackles, while adding a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, and a first-half interception. Anthony Costleigh led the defense with eight total tackles. Triston Brown added five tackles and an interception.

The victory ups COC's record to 1-2 on the season. Santa Ana drops to 2-1.

COC will next host Pasadena City College at Cougar Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.