Cook’s four touchdowns not enough as Merced College falls in double overtime

The Merced College football team battled back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to force overtime, but eventually Monterey Peninsula College handed the Blue Devils their first lost of the season in double overtime.

The Lobos’ Michael Armstead hauled in a 25-yard touchdown catch from Hunter Raquet in the second overtime and the Monterey Peninsula defense stopped Merced College on its possession to preserve a 34-27 win.

The Blue Devils (4-1 overall, 1-1 Golden Coast Conference) were looking for their first 5-0 start since 1986.

Merced College lost despite a great performance from receiver Nick Cook, who caught nine receptions for 154 yards and scored all four touchdowns.

The Lobos scored just before the end of the first half as Matteo D’Alfonso was on the receiving end of a 43-yard touchdown pass from Raquet with 29 seconds left in the first quarter.

Monterey Peninsula then scored on a Hunter Nye 3-yard run to extend the lead to 14-0 with 11:53 left in the third quarter.

Cook caught his first touchdown on a 7-yard catch from Frank Cocio to pull the Blue Devils within 14-7 with 9:01 left in the third quarter.

After another Nye touchdown run gave the Lobos (3-2, 2-0) a 20-7 lead, Cocio and Cook went back to work again.

Cocio found Cook for touchdown throws of 61 and 41 yards to pull the Blue Devils even at 20-20.

The Blue Devils missed the extra point which would have given them a one-point lead. Merced College also misfired on a field goal late in the game.

The Blue Devils started with the ball in the first overtime. Cook gave MC its first lead of the game at 27-20 with an 8-yard touchdown catch.

However, Raquet answered with a 4-yard touchdown run to send the game to a second overtime.

The Lobos then scored on Armstead’s 25-yard catch and the Blue Devils failed to score.

The Merced College defense held Monterey Peninsula to just 38 yards rushing, but gave up 314 yards passing to Raquet, who completed 22 of 37 passes.

David Perales led the Blue Devils defense with 13 tackles.

Cocio completed 20 of 38 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions.

Hanisi Lotulelei carried the ball 26 times for 142 yards.

The Blue Devils have a bye next week and will host Hartnell at Stadium ’76 on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

This story was originally published October 1, 2017 at 9:39 AM with the headline "Cook’s four touchdowns not enough as Merced College falls in double overtime."