Weekly Hornet

Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Dave Conklin Marquis Avery looks down the line of scrimage wating for the snap.

Fullerton was down by five, with just 1:45 left on the clock. Hornets quarterback Kyle Olson connected with wide receiver Marquis Avery in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass, which ultimately cost the Cougars an 18-point lead and the win.

That play gave Avery his record breaking fifteenth reception of the game. Those 15 catches breaks the school record for receptions in a game, previously held by Jeff Weber and Vince Wilson with 13. The record stood for 14 years. He finished with 161 yards and three touchdowns. He is on pace to shatter the record for receptions in a season, through two games he has 23 catches. The current record is 63 held by Wilson.

"I didn't realize I broke the record until after the game, it was crazy." Avery said. "I'm out there working hard to get open."

That play capped an unanswered 19-point rally in the fourth quarter to help the Hornets squeak past College of the Canyons in a come-from-behind victory 32-31 Saturday night at Cougar Stadium.

"It takes two to tango, yeah sure we came back to win," said Hornet Head Coach Gene Murphy. "But [Canyons] took the accelerator off on us in the fourth quarter."

As both teams combined for 904 yards offensively, it seems obvious that offense would be the key to the Hornets victory. Not so. It was special teams. On the ensuing kickoff, Cougars running back Raphael Reynolds fumbled the ball resulting in a turnover and Fullerton was able to eat up the clock.

Fullerton kicker Carlos Reyes nailed a 44 and 27-yard field goal, and kicked and recovered an onside kick early in the last quarter of play.

"I couldn't get it down at practice. I just kept doing it over and over." Reyes said. "I just try my best to do my job making the field goals and making good solid kicks."

Fullerton (2-0) made it a one-possession game by successfully recovering the kick that led to a score. It brought the Hornets within striking distance 31-26.

"The game wasn't about offense or defense," Murphy said. "It was special teams."

Fullerton Freshman Lee Aguirre had a blocked punt and two interceptions.
"We have been basing the whole week on special teams," Aguirre said. "Someone blocked the outside guy and got me free, and I laid out and blocked the ball."

Continued...

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