Cougars Display Past & Present in Big Win

AZUSA, Calif. -- On a day when Azusa Pacific celebrated its past, the Cougar football team chose something new, winning a game by more than a touchdown for the first time in the past 10 games. Playing in front of a record crowd of 4,250, Azusa Pacific celebrated its Homecoming game in style, defeating Whitworth, 41-20.

The Cougar offense amassed 551 yards total offense, and scored 31 second-half points to run away from the Pirate. Cougar QB Neo Aoga accounted for 322 yards and 2 TDs on 19-for-26 passing.
"We were worried about rust, since we hadn't played in 3 weeks, but we shook it off and played," said Aoga.

Aoga's 47-yard scoring strike to WR Deon Jordan gave the Cougars a comfortable 31-7 lead with 3:40 remaining in the third quarter. Aoga pump faked, and the Whitworth linebacker covering Jordan bought it, giving Jordan enough of a cushion to cruise into the end zone.

"I didn't think he would bite as hard as he did," said Aoga. "When I saw him turn around, I guess he did."

Whitworth took a 7-0 lead less than 90 seconds into the game, scoring a touchdown on its opening drive to cap a 4-play, 64-yard drive. However, the Cougar defense would not allow the Pirates to see the end zone again until the fourth quarter, giving the offense the opportunity to score 31 consecutive points.

Cougar RB Jack Williams tied the game at 7-7 with 2:13 left in the opening quarter, scampering 5 yards for his first of 2 touchdowns. PK Mike Spellman tacked on a 34-yard FG with 1:17 remaining in the half to give the Cougars a 10-7 halftime advantage.

Not willing to settle for another nail biting win, the Cougars opened the second half with a 10-play, 77-yard drive, capped by Williams' second TD run, a 3-year jaunt, the first of 3 Cougar third-quarter touchdowns.

Williams finished the game with 68 yards rushing on 15 carries, and snagged his team-leading third interception of the season.

On Azusa Pacific's next drive, Aoga hooked up with WR Caleb Willis, who spun into the end zone for a 23-yard TD, giving the Cougars a 24-7 lead with 7:11 left in the quarter.
"I just saw end zone, and knew I had to get in," said Willis.

Aoga found Jordan on the Cougars' next possession, giving the Cougars a 24-point cushion heading into the final quarter.

"Neo was fabulous," said Cougar coach Peter Shinnick. "He was absolutely unconscious. Of course it helps to have the time Neo had. The offensive line did a great job."

Putney ended the Pirates' scoring drought 33 seconds into the final quarter, but Josh Parbon's 2-point conversion pass attempt failed, and the Cougars went back to work with a 31-13 lead.
Spellman booted a 22-yard FG with 9:32 in the game, capping a 12-play, 54-yard drive that drained 4:55 from the clock and gave the Cougars a 34-13 lead.

Backup QB Luke Winslow, who went 7-for-10 for 105 yards, hooked up with TE Willie Perryman for a 59-yard scoring strike, the Cougars' sixth straight scoring possession (Azusa Pacific punted just once in the game). Spellman's PAT gave the Cougars a 41-13 lead with 3:50 to go.

Matt Stueckle's 16-yard TD reception with 37 seconds left rounded out the scoring.

With the victory, the NAIA's No. 5-ranked Cougars improve to 5-1. Azusa Pacific returns to action next Saturday for its final home game of the regular season, taking on No. 14 Southern Oregon at 6 p.m.

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