'Gades snap 5-game skid
| Saturday, Nov 12 2011 10:44 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Nov 12 2011 10:46 PM
SANTA CLARITA -- Bakersfield College finally got the defensive effort it's been searching for this season.
The Renegades closed out the 2011 season Saturday by beating College of the Canyons 45-35, snapping a five-game losing streak that tied the longest in the program's history.
BC defensive backs Taiyon Jackson and Tyler Dogins each had interceptions they returned for touchdowns and the Renegades did a great job preventing first downs on third-down situations. Third down conversions had been an Achilles' heel for BC this season.
The Renegades finished 4-6 overall and 1-4 in National Northern Conference play.
BC also did a solid job running the ball, an area that struggled most of the season. And the Renegades were missing the team's top rusher this year, freshman Jalen Sykes, who did not make the trip because of a strained shoulder.
Mustaafa Cobb got the start and played a solid first half before an undisclosed injury knocked him out of the game early in the third quarter. He finished with 90 yards on 17 carries.
Quentin Cheatham stepped in a had a solid final two quarters, including his first collegiate touchdown, a 1-yard run with 7:39 left in the game that gave BC a 38-28 lead. He added 62 yards on 21 carries.
Cobb had a 38-yard touchdown run for the game's first score, two plays after a blocked punt gave the Renegades a first down at the Canyons 44.
The defense forced Canyons to turn the ball over on downs three times in the fourth quarter,
Quarterback Brian Duboski threw two touchdown passes to Darius Tubbs, for 22 and 24 yards. Brandon Hobdy caught nine passes for 83 yards to move into fourth place on BC's all-time career scoring list.
The game wound down on a negative note with multiple unsportsmanlike conduct and late hit penalties, plus at least two player ejections.
Chris Rini, Canyons' quarterback, was 26-of-57 for 326 yards and four touchdowns.
