No. 22 Hancock Football Drops 21-20 Decision at Santa Barbara City College

(Santa Barbara, CA)  Marvin Millett rushed for 109 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown to lead the host Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros to a 21-20 upset over No. 22 Allan Hancock College on Saturday afternoon. The Vaqueros cashed in the Bulldogs' only turnover of the game, an interception by Bryson Parker, late in the third quarter to take the lead for good. 

The Bulldogs and Vaqueros are both 1-1 after meeting for the 54^th time.

The Bulldogs scored on the opening drive of the game by marching 80 yards on eight plays. Bakari Davis scored on a three-yard run to give Hancock the early 7-0 lead. Hancock extended its lead early in the second quarter when Jose Morales converted a 27-yard field goal to cap a 13-play, 80-yard drive with 10:53 to go in the first half. The Vaqueros got on the board right before the half when Elijah Cunningham caught a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brandon Edwards to cut the deficit to 10=7. 

The Vaqueros took their first lead of the game by taking the opening kickoff of the second half and turning it into a 13-play, 73-yard drive that ended with an eight-yard run by Chad Woolsey to make it 14-10 SBCC with 10:37 to play in the third quarter. The Bulldogs regained the lead thanks to a 48-yard kickoff return from Elijah Holt. Hancock ended a 41-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run up the middle by Michael Jordano to make it 17-14 Bulldogs. The sophomore from Arroyo Grande High School scored his first collegiate touchdown in his first game as a tailback for the Bulldogs. He played solely defense in the season opener.

After the Hancock defense forced a SBCC punt, a deflected pass from quarterback Matt Albright was picked off by Parker at the Hancock 28-yard line to give the Vaqueros the ball inside Bulldog territory. Seven plays later, Millett ran in from four-yards out to give SBCC the lead for good 21-17.

Hancock narrowed the deficit to one on a 27-yard field goal from Morales, his second of the game and season with 11:43 to play. Sophomore Rafael Arellano forced a fumble on SBCC's next possession that was recovered by Davis. However, the Bulldogs could not capitalize on the Vaqueros' only turnover of the game. 

The Bulldogs got the ball back with barely a minute to play at the one-yard line, but could not get past midfield as time expired.

Hancock finished with 153 rushing yards and 186 passing yards for 339 total yards of offense. SBCC had 175 rushing yards and 189 yards through the air for 364 total yards. 

Curry Parham started at quarterback for Hancock. The sophomore completed nine of his 19 passes for 116 yards. Albright took over behind center in the second half and completed five of his 14 passes for 70 yards. The freshman from Nipomo High School threw one interception. Malik Williams caught five passes for 96 yards for Hancock, while freshman Chris Barganier hauled in four passes for 39 yards. Several Hancock receivers missed or dropped passes to stall Hancock's offensive progress.

Davis led the Bulldogs with 84 rushing yards on nine carries with a touchdown. Justin Davis, who scored twice last week, ran for 46 yards on 12 carries. Jordano finished with 23 yards on nine carries and one score.

Edwards threw for 189 yards and one touchdown on 21 for 37 passing. Millett finished with 109 yards on 12 carries and one score. Woolsey had 57 yards on 15 carries. Elijah King led the Vaqueros with eight catches for 83 yards.

SBCC converted nine of 18 third-down plays, while Hancock struggled at 1 for 12. SBCC also led the time of possession 32:10 to 27:50. 

The Bulldogs return home next Saturday, Sept. 19, to host Chaffey College at 2 p.m. inside Hancock Football Stadium. Hancock defeated Chaffey 26-24 last season in the first meeting between the two programs. Chaffey (1-0), which is ranked No. 16 in the state, played this week at Moorpark.