Football Falls Short in 21-10 Loss to Canyons

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College football team suffered a 21-10 loss at home against College of the Canyons in a National Northern League showdown on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars now move to a 21-11 record in the all-time series, dating back to the first meeting between the two teams in 1972. | BOX SCORE

ALLAN HANCOCK (3-4, 1-3) vs CANYONS (5-2, 3-1)

QUARTER 1: AHC 3 | COC 0

Hancock started the contest with a thrilling 89-yard return by Makai Puga on the opening kickoff but failed to capitalize on the opportune field position after a pair of rushing attempts and an incomplete pass sent them in the wrong direction. Chris Sapey put the Bulldogs on the board after a successful 27-yard field goal try to end the drive. 

Both programs punted twice on the next four consecutive drives before the Cougars threatened to tie the contest with a field goal attempt of their own. That try from 43 yards out was blocked by Salofi Leasiolagi and recovered by Hancock. 

QUARTER 2: AHC 0 | COC 14

The Cougars scored early in the second frame after using seven plays to cover 65 yards en route to a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Canyons struck again with just over five minutes remaining in the half after a COC receive broke loose for a 79-yard completion to score. 

QUARTER 3: AHC 7 | COC 0

The defense for the Bulldogs forced a quick three-and-out on the first drive after play resumed before seeing Leasiolagi block the punt for Canyons. Hancock gained possession with prime field position and quickly closed the 34-yard gap to the goal line after a series of rushing attempts by Caden Harris and Anthony Tucker. AJ Vele closed the opportunity with a one-yard rush into the end zone and cut the deficit to four.

After forcing another punt for the Cougars, AHC closed the third frame with a momentous drive that spanned 79 yards and used up over eight minutes of time on the clock. This possession was filled with rushing attempts and a pair of 15+ yard completions from Vele to Harris and Puga, which placed the Bulldogs on the five-yard line as time expired.

QUARTER 4: AHC 0 | COC 7

Hancock's scoring opportunity quickly vanished after a fumble on the one-yard line was recovered by the visitors on the first snap of the fourth quarter.

The next three series ended in punts with one for AHC landing between a pair by the Cougars, but the Bulldogs fumbled once more near midfield. COC capitalized on the turnover and a penalty by stringing together a drive that ended with a 35-yard rush through the goal line before hauling in an interception on the next two ensuing AHC possessions to close out the day. 

LEADERS

Tackles: Salofi Leasiolagi (11), Connor Wiles (10), Jack Gentile / Daron Lewis Jr. (8)
Sacks: Daron Lewis Jr. (1.5), Salofi Leasiolagi (.5)
Receiving Yards: Makai Puga - 29 yards (2 catches)
Rushing Yards: Caden Harris (22 att, 65 yards), Anthony Tucker (1 att, 47 yards)
Passing Yards: AJ Vele 61 yards (5-17, 2 INT)

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs will hit the road to take on Santa Barbara City College in a rivalry matchup on Saturday, Nov. 2, beginning at 6 PM.   

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