Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Coming off an impressive 64-13 home-opening victory over the visiting Quinte Riptides on August 22, the Sault College Cougars continued their strong start to the 2026 Ontario Football Conference season Saturday night, travelling to the nation’s capital to take on the winless Ottawa Sooners.
The Cougars entered the contest with a perfect 2-0 record, while Ottawa was still searching for its first victory of the season after suffering a 38-25 loss to the London Beefeaters on August 22.
When the final whistle sounded in Ottawa, Sault College had once again put up a big offensive performance, defeating the Sooners 48-27 to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Ottawa opened the scoring at 4:39 of the first quarter when Tristan Hart hauled in a two-yard touchdown pass from the Sooner quarterback. The successful extra point put the home side ahead 7-0.
The Cougars answered late in the opening quarter.
With 2:24 remaining, veteran kicker Nick Vecchio connected on a field goal from 19 yards out, putting Sault College on the scoreboard and cutting Ottawa’s lead to 7-3.
The Cougar offence then came alive early in the second quarter.
At 1:45, veteran running back Sam Mustaspha broke through and showed tremendous determination, evading three tackle attempts on his way to a spectacular 65-yard touchdown run. Vecchio added the extra point, giving Sault College its first lead of the night at 10-7.
The Cougars would add another major moments later following a huge defensive play.
With Ottawa backed up near its own one-yard line, rookie Schadrac Kasongo intercepted a pass at the Sooners’ 12-yard line and returned it all the way to the end zone for a defensive touchdown. Vecchio converted the extra point, extending the Cougar advantage to 17-7.
Sault College continued to control the game heading into halftime.
With the clock sitting at 0:00, Vecchio calmly converted his second field goal of the night, this time from 32 yards out, sending the Cougars into the locker room with a 20-7 lead.
The second half belonged to the visitors.
At 10:26 of the third quarter, rookie quarterback Nick Jokic kept the ball and powered his way into the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run. Vecchio added the conversion, increasing the Sault College lead to 27-7.
The Cougars struck again at 5:10, when veteran receiver Jaiden Trudeau caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jokic in the end zone. With another successful Vecchio conversion, Sault College had opened up a commanding 34-7 advantage.
With just 1:53 remaining in the third quarter, Cougar rookie Jayden Ralph added another touchdown on the ground. Vecchio’s extra point pushed the score to 41-7 heading into the final quarter.
Ottawa managed to find some offence early in the fourth.
At 12:40, a Sooner receiver hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass in the Cougar end zone. Ottawa successfully converted the ensuing two-point attempt, bringing the score to 41-15.
Sault College responded with another explosive touchdown.
At the nine-minute mark, a Cougar rookie receiver connected with Jokic on a big scoring play, taking the ball for a 68-yard touchdown. Vecchio once again split the uprights on the extra point, extending the Cougars’ lead to 48-15.
Ottawa refused to go quietly.
With 6:23 remaining, Sooner running back Dylan Francis broke loose for a 13-yard touchdown run. Ottawa attempted another two-point conversion, but the attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 48-21.
The Sooners added one final major with 2:30 remaining, catching a 22-yard touchdown pass to bring Ottawa within 48-27.
Despite the late push from the home side, the Cougars closed out the victory to remain unbeaten through the first three games of their 2026 OFC campaign.
The victory marks another impressive offensive showing for Sault College, while the Cougar defence also made its presence felt with Kasongo’s interception return for a touchdown and several key stops throughout the contest.
After opening the season with back-to-back victories at home and on the road, the 3-0 Sault College Cougars will now return to Sault Ste. Marie for their next challenge.
The Cougars will host the St. Clair Saints on Saturday, September 5, at Superior Heights Field, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
With momentum firmly on their side and a perfect record to begin the season, Sault College will look to continue its strong start when the Saints come to town.
