Canyons Can’t Seize Opportunities in Loss to Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. – College of the Canyons was right there, at the doorstep of taking control of the SCFA National Division, Northern Conference, but couldn't hang on to its opportunities in a 64-35 road loss to Ventura College on Saturday night.

The game had its share of fireworks. While combining for 99 points, the two teams combined to amass 850 total offensive yards. Aside from the six turnovers, it was also the 354 yards rushing allowed by the Cougars defense that kept the ball away from the Cougar offense.

The scoring came fast for both teams, with each scoring twice in the first quarter including a 10-yard Tim White receiving touchdown from Tony Dawson tying the game at 7-7.

Ventura would then capitalize on the first of six Cougar miscues when Ventura linebacker David Owens would intercept a Tony Dawson pass and return it for a touchdown giving Ventura a 13-7 lead.

Later in the quarter, Earl Johnson scored a three-yard rushing touchdown. An Eric Krietz extra point gave the Cougars their only lead of the day, 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Two first-half Devon Dunn interceptions ended COC drives. By the end of the first half, Ventura would build its lead to 30-14 and would not look back.

In the third quarter, with COC already down 37-14, the defense managed to put points on the board with a 70-yard fumble recovery and touchdown return by cornerback Corey Lee. An Eric Kreitz PAT cut the Cougars' deficit, but Canyons still trailed 37-21.

COC quarterback Tony Dawson would contribute to COC's final two scores including a 44-yard pass to Anthony Fowler in the third quarter. Dawson also added a 32-yard touchdown run in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.

Dawson would finish the game with a solid stat line including completing 11-of-23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 70 yards rushing including a fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Tim White also notched another strong performance adding eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, linebacker Kenneth Jacobs led the Cougars with 11 total tackles. Linebacker Nate Mitogo added eight tackles including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Triston Brown added seven tackles and forced the fumble that led to Corey Lee's 70-yard fumble return touchdown.

The loss drops COC's season record to 3-5 and to 2-2 against conference opponents.

College of the Canyons will next travel to Moorpark College for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday Nov. 8.