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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

The Online Home of the Azusa Pacific Cougars
Juarez, Michael1 - FB [2026]
Roman Shelter
3
Azusa Pacific APU 1-3 , 0-0
24
Winner Cal Lutheran CLU 3-2 , 1-1
Azusa Pacific APU
1-3 , 0-0
3
Final
24
Cal Lutheran CLU
3-2 , 1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
APU Azusa Pacific 0 0 3 0 3
CLU Cal Lutheran 3 7 7 7 24

Game Recap: Football |

Cal Lutheran Wears Down Cougars

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific's defense repeatedly gave the Cougars opportunities to climb back into Saturday night's contest, but the offense struggled to capitalize as Cal Lutheran pulled away for a 24-3 victory at William Rolland Stadium.

The Cougars fell to 1-3 on the season despite forcing 2 second-half turnovers and limiting the Kingsmen to just 17 offensive points. A fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown ultimately sealed Cal Lutheran's victory.
In a game dominated by defense and field position, Azusa Pacific managed just 184 total yards, including 101 on the ground, while Cal Lutheran totaled 330 yards of offense. The Cougars converted 6 third downs but were limited to a single scoring drive and reached the red zone just twice without finding the end zone either time.

Cal Lutheran struck first after piecing together a methodical 17-play, 79-yard drive that consumed more than 9 minutes of the opening quarter. The Kingsmen settled for a 19-yard field goal by Matthew Montegna with 2:42 remaining in the period to take a 3-0 lead.

The Cougars answered with one of their better drives of the first half, moving into Kingsmen territory behind the running of freshman QB Laki Wallwork and and junior RBG Aaron Mitchell. However, the drive stalled at the Cal Lutheran 43-yard line, and APU was forced to punt.

Cal Lutheran extended its lead to 10-0 midway through the second quarter when QB Joe Farley found Bradley Chavez for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The Cougars threatened late in the half, highlighted by Wallwork's 26-yard scramble that moved the ball to the Kingsmen 31-yard line. But a sack on third down and an unsuccessful fourth-down conversion left APU empty-handed heading into the locker room trailing by 10.

The Kingsmen delivered a quick blow to open the second half. After receiving the kickoff, Farley connected with TeNorris Merkel on a 66-yard touchdown strike less than 2 minutes into the third quarter, pushing the margin to 17-0. Merkel finished with a game-high 104 receiving yards on 4 catches.

Facing a 3-score deficit, the Cougars received a spark from their defense. Junior defensive lineman Jedi Gbaja-Biamila recovered a Cal Lutheran fumble at the APU 40-yard line, setting up the Cougars' longest drive of the night.

Azusa Pacific marched 58 yards in 13 plays, converting multiple fourth downs while chewing more than 7 minutes off the clock. Wallwork completed key passes to Victor Rodriguez and Tyron Bates during the possession, helping the Cougars advance to the Kingsmen 2-yard line. When the drive stalled, freshman kicker Tyler Nolan converted a 12-yard field goal with 2:31 remaining in the third quarter to put APU on the scoreboard.

Moments later, the defense came through again. Freshman Richard Coleman recovered another Cal Lutheran fumble at the Kingsmen 43-yard line, giving the Cougars another short field and a chance to cut further into the deficit.

APU drove deep into Kingsmen territory again, reaching the Cal Lutheran 19-yard line early in the fourth quarter. But a fourth-and-one attempt was stopped for a loss, ending a promising opportunity and preserving Cal Lutheran's 17-3 advantage.

The Cougars' final hopes faded midway through the fourth quarter. After Cal Lutheran turned the ball over on downs, APU regained possession near midfield, but Kingsmen defensive back Jacob Ramirez intercepted a Miguel Larios pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 24-3 with 3:26 to play. 

Wallwork led the Cougars on the ground with 51 rushing yards while completing 7-of-18 passes for 75 yards. Rodriguez paced APU receivers with 3 catches for 38 yards, and Bates added 14 receiving yards while contributing on the ground.

Defensively, Jonathon Meza recorded a team-high 9 tackles, while Aldo Olweny and Ashton Thomas each added 7 stops. Tommy Tucay, a transfer from Cal Lutheran, intercepted a pass just before halftime, and both Gbaja-Biamila and Coleman came away with pivotal fumble recoveries that helped keep the Cougars within striking distance.

Despite forcing 3 turnovers and holding Cal Lutheran scoreless in the red zone beyond its opening field goal drive, the Cougars could not overcome offensive struggles that included just 83 passing yards and 4 sacks allowed. Cal Lutheran improved to 3-2, while Azusa Pacific left Thousand Oaks still searching for momentum as conference play continues next Saturday (Oct. 17) when APU opens its renovated Cougar Stadium with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Chapman.
 
 
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