No. 4 Canyons Has Unbeaten Streak Snapped at Saddleback

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – No. 4 College of the Canyons suffered its first loss of the season, falling 19-3 on the road to No. 17 Saddleback College on Saturday night.

COC's knack for winning games late ran out against a Gauchos team that recovered two costly Cougar fumbles.

Canyons (5-1, 2-0) had a somewhat lackluster performance on offense, collecting just 294 total yards despite winning the time of possession battle by nearly 10 minutes.

The Gaucho defense stifled COC's ground game allowing only 40 total rushing yards for the game.

The Cougars didn't get on the board until the second half when Alec Chadwick booted a 40-yard field goal with 8:03 left in the third quarter. It was the only points the Cougars would score.

The defense played well but could not keep the Gauchos out of the end zone, due in large part to the short field position those costly turnovers created.

COC sophomore linebacker Anthony Costleigh led the team with 10 tackles, including one for loss. Sophomore defensive back Triston Brown had six tackles and intercepted a pass.

In all, the Canyons defense tallied seven tackles for loss and sacked Gaucho quarterbacks twice.

Offensively, COC quarterback Devon Dunn completed 21-of-46 passes for 209 yards.

Running back Kenny Torrance led the team in rushing with 48 yards on 18 carries.

Cougar wide receiver Conner Byrnes caught nine passes for 97 yards. Byrnes now has 19 receptions this season for 243 yards.

After a week seven bye, head coach Ted Iacenda's team will head back on the road to face Allan Hancock College at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Santa Maria.