BURNABY, British Columbia – Azusa Pacific claimed its first victory of the season, as the Cougars defeated Simon Fraser by a 38-12 final. The Cougars pulled away in the second half, as they outscored Simon Fraser 24-0 after halftime.
 
In the first half, Azusa Pacific found the endzone midway through the first quarter, as junior running back Dante Davis punched the ball in from one yard out. Following a successful PAT by freshman Ramzee Jaridly, the Cougars took a 7-0 lead with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Simon Fraser answered early in the second quarter, when quarterback Brandon Niksich found Solomon Hines for a 75 yard touchdown pass. The Clan missed the PAT, so the Cougars held a 7-6 lead with 11:10 left in the first half.
 
Davis would extend the Cougars' lead with his second rushing touchdown of the game, as he  crossed the goal line from three yards out. Azusa Pacific held a 14-6 lead with 6:13 left before halftime.
 
Simon Fraser would strike again through the air, as Niksich found Rysen John for a 50 yard passing touchdown with 4:13 left in the second quarter. The Clan would not convert their two-point conversion attempt, keeping the score at 14-12 Azusa Pacific.
 
The Cougars pulled away in the second half, as they set the tone with a touchdown on their first possession of the third quarter. Junior quarterback Anthony Catalano, who made his first start as a Cougar, found senior tight end Shane Hursh in the endzone from 12 yards out. The score and ensuing PAT put the Cougars up 21-12. "That first drive was huge for us," said head coach Victor Santa Cruz, "we established the way we wanted to play in the second half on that drive and did not look back."
 
Azusa Pacific put points on the board on three more occasions, as junior linebacker Ben Sukut had a 29 yard interception return for a touchdown, Davis rushed for his touchdown of the game from 29 yards out, and Jaridly made a 28 yard field goal.
 
"This was an important win for us," said Coach Santa Cruz, "we played together on offense and defense, and when we do that, we are going to be successful."
 
Catalano threw for 171 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 128 yards on just six attempts. Davis finished with 81 yards to go along with his three touchdowns, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jasiah Richard-Lewis led the Cougars with eight receptions and 104 yards. Defensively, junior Quentin Frazier led Azusa Pacific with eight total tackles. Sophomore Alex Benter registered one and a half sacks, while junior Maeaeafe Alailima added a sack and sophomore linebacker Micah Roth had half a sack in the game.
 
Azusa Pacific posted overwhelming statistical advantages in first downs (26-12), rushing yards (314-75), and total offense (477-360).
 
Up Next: Azusa Pacific, now 1-3 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play, will travel to GNAC opponent Central Washington for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 12. Last season, Azusa Pacific and Central Washington were co-GNAC champions.