Backup quarterback Nate Ong threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as the Palomar College football team closed its regular season with a 41-9 win over Orange Coast College at LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa on Saturday.

The Comets ---- ranked 17th nationally ---- improved to 8-2 (4-2 in the Southern Conference) and now await the results of next week's Grossmont-Saddleback contest to see if they qualify for the eight-team Southern California playoffs or a bowl game. Palomar will join Southern Conference champion Fullerton in the playoffs if Saddleback beats Grossmont by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Ong (San Pasqual High) started in place of Matt Christian, who suffered a fractured collarbone in last week's loss to Fullerton, and finished 21-of-34 for 247 yards passing. Ong also ran for 35 yards on five carries, including a 10-yard TD for the Comets, who outgained their opponents 446-196 yards. Saalim Hakim had five catches for 76 yards and two TDs.