Football 10/13/2001 9:00:00 PM

Defense Paces Cougars

AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific took advantage of a mistake-prone Menlo to snap a 2-game losing streak and post a 23-10 nonconference victory over the Oaks Saturday night before a homecoming crowd of 3,153.

Menlo, which came into the game ranked No. 18 in NCAA Division III and with one of the nation's top 5 offenses, committed 6 turnovers, including 5 interceptions, and was whistled for a critical roughing the punter penalty in the fourth quarter to have numerous opportunities negated.

Azusa Pacific turned only one turnover into points, it first TD of the game, but 2 of Menlo's turnover came in Azusa Pacific territory and the roughing penalty led to a game-clinching TD.

"We created some of those mistakes," said Cougar coach Peter Shinnick. "We were aware they wanted to throw a lot of the time.nytime you get a team to throw 5 interceptions, you're in good shape."

Cougar QB Luke Winslow led an effective Azusa Pacific offense, completing 17-of-28 passes for 262 yards and 2 TDs. Winslow spread the wealth around with 6 Cougars getting at least 2 receptions, led by Jimmy Travis' 4 catches for 99 yards, including one that went 55 yards for a TD.

"I was able to stay underneath the coverage in my passing tonight," said Winslow, "which allowed me to complete a lot of passes. Our defense played so well tonight we could control the ball and not go for the deep stuff."

Menlo scored on its second possession of the game, capping a 12-play 80-yard drive with Oak QB Dylan Kruse found Vinny Benedett for a 16-yard TD strike to go up 7-0. Earlier in the drive Kruse connected with Benedett on an 11-yard pass play to convert a crucial third-and-6 to keep the drive alive at midfield.

Azusa Pacific answered late in the first quarter when Winslow hit Travis over the middle on a short strike, Travis broke free and converted for a 55-yard TD score to knot the game at 7-7 with 13 seconds left in the quarter.

Menlo hurt itself with 3 interceptions in the first quarter. Kruse, who was starting for the injured Chris Smith (shoulder), had played in only 1 previous series this season. Cougar CB Anthony Aikala picked off Smith's second pass of the game. Fellow CB Mike Cory snagged a Kruse bomb over the middle with 5 minutes left in the quarter, and then SS Davin Lum collected his team-high fourth interception of the season when he took a Kruse pass attempt over the shoulder with 1:53 left in the quarter, setting up the Cougars' first TD.

The Cougars scored again on their next possession when sophomore TB Dan Gray bolted in from 12 yards out, bouncing off the middle at the line of scrimmage before sprinting around the left end to score his second touchdown of his collegiate career.

"We needed a little bit of a change and thought we could go inside," said Shinnick of his decision to give the reserve Gray his most significant action of his career. "Dan just flat out ran hard and did everything we wanted him to. We're going to continue to use him."

The Cougars extended their lead to 7 on Matt Ryburn's career-long 43-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.
Azusa Pacific iced the game when Winslow returned to what worked in the first quarter, this time hitting Frankie Tapia on a short pass over the middle, which Tapia took the rest of the way for a 50-yard TD with 3:33 left in the game. However, the play may have never happened had it not been for Menlo being called for roughing Cougar punter B.J. Litchfield on a fourth-and-nine play at the midfield stripe to keep the drive alive.

"There are a lot areas where Luke needs to continue to improve," said Shinnick, "but that last touchdown is exactly what he needs to do and what he is capable of."

Smith attempted to rally Menlo when he made his first appearance in the game midway through the third quarter. He completed 10-of-16 passes for 89 yards but he was picked off twice.

Azusa Pacific finished with 329 yards while Menlo was held to 288, the first time the Oaks have been limited to less than 300 yards this season.

"We tried to keep everything in front of us defensively," said Shinnick. "We were going to give up a little in the run game and allow ourselves to play smart in the secondary, and boy it really paid off for us tonight."

With the win Azusa Pacific improves to 3-3 while Menlo falls to 5-2.

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