Third Quarter Outburst Dumps Cougars

AZUSA, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 23-ranked Central Washington used a 21-point third quarter spurt to snap Azusa Pacific's four-game winning streak and post a nonconference win Saturday afternoon in Azusa, 28-7.

The Wildcats opened the scoring on opening play the game when quarterback Casey Jacox hit wide receiver Ty Nunez on a 64-yard touchdown strike. However, the Azusa Pacific defense picked up the pressure and did not allow another touchdown for the rest of the half. Meanwhile the Cougar offense matched the Wildcats with a touchdown of their own, coming off of a deflected pass from the arm of Brian Lucas that ended up in the hands of receiver Jon Daniels. He took the ball and raced through the middle of the Wildcat defense 47 yards to cruise into the end zone and tie the game at 7-7.

As they did in the first half, the Wildcats scored on their first offensive play of the second half. After a fumble by Azusa Pacific tailback Elijah Raphael, running back Dan Murphy scored the first of his three third-quarter touchdowns on a 32-yard run through the middle of the Cougar defense at 14:28. Central Washington scored on its next two drives, after its defense held Azusa Pacific two consecutive three-and-out drives, to extend the lead to 28-7 with 6:25 left in the quarter. Murphy finished with 96 yards rushing on 15 carries, a 6.4-yard average per carry, and the three unanswered touchdowns.

"Our defense played well, but they spent too many plays on the field in the third quarter," said Cougar head coach Vic Shealy. "When you are spending the whole third-quarter with your defense on the field, you aren't going to stop many people."

Cougar quarterback Brian Lucas completed 21-of-43 passes for 245 yards in a touchdown. Jacox finished with 132 yards passing on 9-of-23 passing.

After a week off, Azusa Pacific finishes it season when the Cougars travel to Chapman University on Nov. 15. Central Washington returns home for its final two games, first on November 8 against Western Washington. With the loss, the Cougars fall to 4-4, while the Wildcats improve to 4–3 and keep their hopes alive for an NAIA playoff berth.

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