FOOTBALL FALLS TO NATION'S TOP-RANKED TEAM, 33-21

SANTA MARIA-- Coach Kris Dutra's Allan Hancock College football team gave a spirited account of itself, but it wasn't enough to overcome the nation's top-ranked JC team, as the Bulldogs fell to visiting College of the Canyons, 33-21.
Hancock (2-2, 1-1 WSC) fell behind 20-0 in the second quarter but rallied in the second half give the Cougars some anxious moments. The Bulldog offense, which sputtered in the first half eventually finished the game with 22 first downs and 394 total yards. Those yards were equally dispersed between the run and pass, as AHC rushed 47 times for 198 and completed 16-of-28 passes for 196.
Individually for the Bulldogs, tailback Lucious Sloan carried 17 times for 90 yards and scored two touchdowns. Fullback Russell Spafford added 71 tough inside yards on 14 carries. Quarterback Chad Nicholson also had a productive night, completing 15-of-27 passes for 178 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Bugg with just 1:01 remaining in the game. Defensively, the Bulldogs were again led by linebackers Trevor Shamblee and Chris Nunez, but also had strong efforts from cornerback Eddie Scipio, safety Ricky Perkins and end Ryan Roberts.
Canyons (4-0, 2-0 WSC) displayed the reasons for its lofty ranking early in the second half, as tailback Marcus Crawford began to reel off huge chunks of yardage. Although powerful and fast, he was caught from behind twice by Scipio with touchdown-saving tackles. For the game, Crawford carried 21 times, netted 231 yards and scored two touchdowns. His 21-yard bull rush to the endzone with 3:08 remaining sealed any hope of a Bulldog upset. The Cougars also displayed a superior kicking game featuring Josh Cummings, who booted four field goals, measuring 30, 29, 27 and 27 yards. Overall, Canyons piled up 25 first downs and 467 total yards.
The Bulldogs continue Western State Conference Northern Division play with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff next Saturday (Oct. 4) at Bakersfield.