Pirates find win column after topping Lancers, 27-10

PASADENA -- The Orange Coast College football team notched its first win of the season with a 27-10 nonconference victory on Saturday night over Pasadena City College, played at PCC's Robinson Stadium.

Paced by another strong defensive effort and a balanced offense that produced 433 total yards (190 on the ground, 243 in the air), the Pirates overcame a sluggish start to even the all-time series between the both schools at 8-8.
 
The scary start occurred when Coast fumbled on the opening kickoff, putting the Lancers (0-2) in the driver's seat early. But the Pirate defense, led by another double-digit effort by the trio of Nick Cody (12 tackles, three solo, one fumble recovery), Austin Bennett (11 tackles, six solo, two tackles for loss) and Vince Coleman (11 tackles, five solo, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), managed to keep PCC off of the scoreboard early on.
 
Coast grabbed a 3-0 lead on a 43-yard field goal by Jackson Dionne, but Pasadena grabbed hold of the lead after capping off a 10-play, 67-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zeek Julien.
 
Some late-quarter success helped the Pirates regain the momentum before halftime. With 2:45 left in the half and the ball on OCC's 24-yard line, quarterback Jon Newsom led the offense down the field, connecting on 6-of-8 passes on the drive with the final hook-up coming to Buzzy Yokoyama on a 28-yard touchdown, putting Coast up 10-7 with just over a minute left to play. Newsom finished the night with 243 yards passing on 20-of-34 passing with one interception.
 
OCC's defense posted a quick three-and-out and after a 13-yard punt by the Lancers, Coast had the ball at the PCC 41 with 12 seconds left. Newsom hooked up with Bryan Keller (five catches for 60 yards) on a nine-yard completion and Dionne ended the half with a 49-yard field goal, putting the Pirates up 13-7.
 
The third quarter had the makings for disaster for the Pirates, thanks to two turnovers, but the Pirate defense picked the offense up.
 
Much like the first half, the second half saw OCC turn the ball over early, putting PCC in scoring position. The Lancers marched down to the Pirate 5, but on fourth-and-2, Pasadena decided to go for it and the running play resulted in a fumble recovery by Cody, keeping OCC out in front.
 
Pasadena would cut the Pirate lead down to 13-10 and another fumble by the Pirates put the Lancers inside the Coast 35 yet again. But Coast's defense held PCC without a first down on four straight plays and the threat was stopped.
 
Finally, late in the fourth quarter, OCC put the game away on the legs of its running game. Coast's running duo of Robert Penny (19 carries, 93 yards) and Graeme Fraser (9-53) ate up 53 yards on a 10-play, 70-yard drive and also ate up precious time off of the clock. The drive was capped off when Penny fought off a couple of tacklers and raced 12 yards for a touchdown, putting Coast up 20-10.
 
With 3:27 remaining, Coast iced the game when Fraser broke through a few tacklers of his own and scored on a 17-yard run.
 
After a penalty-filled season opener for the Lancers, things didn't improve too much as they racked up 15 penalties for 169 yards, while OCC kept their poise with only 54 penalty yards on six infractions.
 
OCC will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Long Beach City College.