No. 6 Canyons Shuts Down Santa Barbara 63-0

The Cougars (3-0) churned out 670 yards of total offense while limiting the Vaqueros to just seven first downs in the game.

No. 6 Canyons Shuts Down Santa Barbara 63-0
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September 16, 2018

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

In the day's leading up to the Cougars' week three meeting vs. Santa Barbara City College, head coach Ted Iacenda commented that he wanted to see his team "click on all cylinders."

Coming into the matchup vs. the Vaqueros, No. 6 College of the Canyons (3-0) had shown flashes of brilliance in all three phases of the game but had yet to put together a full 60 minutes of execution.

That all ended on Saturday, as the Cougars clicked to the tune of 63 points and 670 yards of total offense, while keeping Santa Barbara out of the end zone and allowing just seven first downs.

The Vaqueros (1-2) averaged a paltry 1.8 yards per play, and ultimately punted the ball 13 times in the contest.

COC's defensive unit has allowed just 20 points through the first three weeks of the season.

The Cougars pounced on their opponent early and often on Saturday, putting on a show for the strong showing of Canyons faithful that turned out for the team's 2018 home opener at Cougar Stadium.

COC sophomore quarterback Andrew Brito tossed four first half touchdowns and surpassed the 300-yard plateau before the Cougars even made into the halftime locker room. The New Jersey native was 18-of-24 for 324 yards in the game but did not play after the Cougars' opening drive of the second half.

Brito connected with wide receiver Brandon Pierce to get the scoring started late in the first quarter, then found Pierce again for a 30-yard strike with a little over four minutes to go in the half.

COC running back Kartilus McFadden scored on a two-yard run early in the second quarter, before Brito and company continued the air attack. 

Along the way Damaris August hauled in a 21-yard touchdown reception and Jarrin Pierce took an eight-yard touchdown pass across the goal line for COC with 1:22 to go in the half. That gave Canyons a commanding 35-0 lead.

Brito led one more scoring drive capped by a Miles Anderson one-yard plunge with 13:04 to go in the third quarter.

From there, COC freshman Wyatt Eget was given the keys to a Cougar offense that would account for three more scoring drives.

McFadden scored again midway through the third quarter and was followed by fellow running back Kenny Torrance who scored on a short touchdown run with 1:58 to go in the third quarter.

With freshman Michael Wilson under center in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Alonzell Henderson was able to break away for a 56-yard touchdown catch that pushed the score to 63-0.

COC kicker Tanner Brown was 8-for-8 on PAT attempts, while Ryan Sinclair also converted on his lone attempt.

Freshman running back Manny Thomas led the Cougars with 64 rushing yards on five carries.

Jarrin Pierce led the Canyons receiving corps with six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. August finished with six catches for 88 yards to rank second on the squad.

Tariq Speights led the Cougar defense with five total tackles and a forced fumble. Charles Ike also had five tackles, including one for loss, while linebacker Bryan Barrera had two stops behind the line. 

Canyons will now look toward its week four opponent in former conference rival Cerritos College (3-0). That game is scheduled to kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at Falcon Stadium.

COC defeated Cerritos 45-9 in week eight of the 2017 campaign. Prior to that meeting the Falcons had won three straight vs. the Cougars.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by visiting www.COCathletics.com and following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Jim Bloomfield/COC Sports Information