MONMOUTH, Oregon – Azusa Pacific nearly dashed the GNAC title hopes of Western Oregon on Saturday afternoon, however, the Wolves escaped with a 23-21 win as they blocked the potential game-winning field goal by Cougar kicker Ramzee Jaridly as time expired.

With 59 seconds remaining in the contest, Azusa Pacific started its drive on its own 15-yard line. Quarterback Tyrone Williams Jr. marched the Cougars down the field, as he completed six straight passes, including three to receiver Jasiah Richard-Lewis. His sixth completion of the drive, a 10-yard strike to Richard-Lewis, moved the ball to Western Oregon's 45-yard line. However, the Cougars were aided by a roughing the passer penalty on the play, which moved the ball up to the Wolves' 20-yard line.

The Cougars stopped the clock with a timeout at three seconds remaining, which was followed by a timeout from Western Oregon. Jaridly's attempt was from 37-yards out, but it was blocked soon after leaving his foot and fell to the turf beyond the original line of scrimmage to end the ballgame.

For the second straight week, Azusa Pacific was on the losing end of a tough GNAC battle which ended in a one-possesion difference. "This was another game in which we did many good things that put us in a position to win a game," said head coach Victor Santa Cruz, "but we just could not outrun our turnovers at the end of the day."

One of the biggest moments in the game turned out to be the difference on the scoreboard, as the Wolves defense was able to put up two points with a safety less than one minute into the fourth quarter. The Cougars started the drive on their own one yardline, and following a one yard rush and a completion for no-gain, Western Oregon was able to force the safety on third and nine. At the time, it gave Western Oregon a 16-14 lead with 14:09 remaining in the game.

The Wolves added to the lead a few drives later, as Wolves running back Nico Jackson rushed for a six-yard touchdown with 7:03 remaining in regulation. Following the ensuing PAT, Western Oregon held a 23-14 edge.

Azusa Pacific would respond with a long drive and touchdown to cut the deficit down to one score, as the Cougars posted a drive of 15 plays, 84 yards, and four and a half minutes of possession. It was capped off with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Williams Jr. to Richard Lewis with 2:22 remaining in the contest. Jaridly's PAT would prove to be the final point in the game.

As the final score showed, the game was a battle throughout. Western Oregon scored seven points in each of the first and second quarter, while Azusa Pacific scored 14 points in the second quarter to tie things up at halftime. Both defenses held strong in the third quarter, as neither team scored. While each team scored a touchdown in the final 15 minute, the safety proved to be the difference.

The two offenses were polar opposites of each other, as Western Oregon dominated the ground game with 349 rushing yards (59 attempts) to just seven yards for the Cougars (19 attempts), while Azusa Pacific threw for 353 passings yards (37 attempts) to Western Oregon's 157 yards (16 attempts).

Williams Jr. finished with 353 passing yards, as he was 28-for-37 with two touchdowns and an interception. The Cougars had four players with 70 or more receving yards, as Gaige Allen led the team with 96 yards over six receptions, including a touchdown. Richard-Lewis had 81 yards on seven receptions with a touchdown, Brandon Jackson hauled in six receptions for 72 yards, and Bryce Grandison posted 70 yards on just four receptions.

For the Wolves, quarterback Ty Currie led the way, as he threw for 157 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also rushing for a game-high 178 yards with a touchdown.

Defensively, Azusa Pacific's Maeaeafe Alailima had 10 total tackles, including two tackles for loss ywith a sack of eight yards. Quentine Frazer also had 10 tackles in the game for the Cougars, with nine being of the solo variety. Ben Sukut had an interception in the game, which was the Cougar defense's lone takeaway.

With one week remaining in the season, head coach Victor Santa Cruz sees this week and next as another opportunity to lay the foundation for the future. "We took another step forward today… each week I am seeing so many young guys who we never envisioned being in the roles they are right now, growing and maturing before my eyes," said Coach Santa Cruz, "where were are today is incredible for where we began this season, that is why I am so fired up about this team."

Santa Cruz and the Cougars have one more opportunity in the 2019 season, as they hit the road for a matchup with Black Hills State in Spearfish, South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 16. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (MDT).