CANYONS AIR REFRESHES COC REVIVES PASS ATTACK FOR 391 YARDS IN ROMP COC 47, SANTA BARBARA 13.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - One week after throwing just four passes in the second half against Allan Hancock, the College of the Canyons football team got back to its high-flying ways Saturday night in a 47-13 victory at home over Santa Barbara.

Now the question is whether the No. 2 Cougars can return to the top spot in the nation's community college football rankings, as well.

Sophomore receiver Trevor Brackett caught five passes for a career-high 142 yards - including one outstanding catch and run in the first quarter - and quarterbacks Jason Beck and Will Savage combined to throw for 391 yards and two touchdowns as Canyons cruised.

``I didn't know that they moved us down, but that's cool,'' Brackett said. ``We just have to pick it up and play our game and get back to No. 1. We've been there before, so we know we can get it back by the end of the season.''

In the meantime, the Cougars (5-0, 3-0) rolled into the Western State Conference's midseason bye week undefeated for the first time since 2000. And they did it with help from their defense and special teams.

Sophomore linebacker Brandon Fuselier made 11 tackles and Domata Peko added two sacks as Canyons carried a shutout into the fourth quarter.

In addition, sophomore Josh Cummings connected on a school-record 50-yard field goal and freshman Kris Theus returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, one of two second-half touchdowns for the Highland High of Palmdale product.

Last week, the Cougars dropped from the top spot in the JC GridWire national rankings without losing a game. After two lackluster victories over Pierce and Hancock to open WSC play, Canyons fell to No. 2 as Butler County (Kan.) was elevated to No. 1.

Canyons coach Chuck Lyon did not talk about the drop in the national rankings, but he did stress to his players the need to play a complete game. And the Cougars more than responded against the Vaqueros (2-3, 1-2).

``We've gotten better, I think,'' Lyon said. ``I thought that the defense played real well.''

Canyons slowly built a 23-0 halftime lead, though Brackett did supply one of the season highlights midway through the first quarter. He turned a simple slant pass from Beck into a 68-yard play, cutting back three times on his rush before falling at the 2.

``I thought I saw somebody coming at me, but they said it was just my mind,'' Brackett said. ``I was just happy that I had that kind of run. I've been waiting all season for a breakout run.''

Two plays later, Marcus Crawford scored to make it 6-0. Cummings missed the extra point out of a bad hold, but Cummings more than atoned for that mistake in the second quarter, connecting on a 50-yard field goal that matched Tommy Garagliano's school record.

The Cougars rolled from then on. Savage entered at quarterback and found L. Ray Hawkins - forgotten by the defense - for a 57-yard touchdown. Kevin Jones then made a leaping interception and raced 68 yards on the return. That set up a 26-yard touchdown pass from Savage to Brackett.

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com