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Defense - 2026
10
Azusa Pacific APU 2-7 , 2-5
31
Winner Claremont-M-S CMS 7-2 , 6-1
Azusa Pacific APU
2-7 , 2-5
10
Final
31
Claremont-M-S CMS
7-2 , 6-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
APU Azusa Pacific 10 0 0 0 10
CMS Claremont-M-S 0 21 0 10 31

Game Recap: Football |

Claremont Controlled

CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific raced out to a strong start, but host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps used a dominant second quarter and ball-control offense to pull away for a 31-10 SCIAC victory at Rogan Stadium Saturday night. Azusa Pacific fell to 2-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

The Cougars could not have asked for a better opening. Taking the game's first possession, junior QB Brandon Valencia engineered an 8-play, 69-yard drive that showcased a balanced offensive attack. Key rushing gains from Aaron Mitchell and Demarion Wright moved APU deep into CMS territory before Valencia connected with junior WR Tyler Fogg on a 24-yard touchdown strike. Tyler Nolan' extra point vave the Cougars an early 7-0 advantage less than 6 minutes into the game.

The Cougar defense backed up the fast start by forcing a quick three-and-out on the Stags' first possession. After taking over near midfield following a shanked punt, APU again moved into scoring position and extended its lead when Nolan drilled a 41-yard field goal with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter.

Defensively, APU was especially sharp early. The unit held CMS scoreless throughout the first quarter and received standout play from several defenders. Linebacker Keanu Kuma finished with a team-high 9 tackles, while defensive backs Aldo Olweny, Richard Coleman, and Ashton Thomas each recorded 8 tackles. Defensive tackle Connor Meholovitch added 6 tackles, a sack, and 3 tackles for loss.

The game shifted in the second quarter as the Stags began controlling possession and wearing down the Cougar defense. A 13-play, 80-yard drive culminated in a 2-yard touchdown run by Cooper Nixon, cutting the APU lead to 10-7. After forcing an Azusa Pacific punt and taking over in Cougar territory, CMS marched 38 yards for another Nixon rushing score to move ahead 14-10.

Late in the half, the Stags struck again. Quarterback Robert Litscher completed a 39-yard pass James Ryan to set up a 7-yard touchdown throw to Noah Macapulay with just 25 seconds to put the Stags up 21-10 at the half.

While the Cougar offense struggled to regain its rhythm, the defense kept the game within reach during the third quarter. Meholovitch highlighted the effort with a key sack near the goal line as CMS threatened to add points late in the period. APU held the Stags without a touchdown in the third quarter despite a lengthy 15-play drive.

The Stags eventually extended the margin early in the fourth quarter with a Sean Lee 32-yard field goal before capitalizing on an interception that set them up deep in Cougar territory. CMS converted the turnover into an Owen Walz 1-yard touchdown, stretching the advantage to 31-10.

APU continued to battle throughout the final period and mounted its most sustained march of the second half. Valencia guided a 13-play, 60-yard drive that reached the CMS 19-yard line. The Cougars converted multiple first downs through the air, including completions to Victor Rodriguez, Dane Torrence, Tyler Fogg, and Robert Sarmiento, but the drive stalled on downs inside the red zone.

Valencia finished 15-for-25 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown. Sarmiento led APU receivers with 5 catches for 46 yards, while Fogg recorded 2 receptions for 34 yards, including the game's opening touchdown. On the ground, Wright paced the Cougars with 24 rushing yards, and Mitchell added 22.

CMS finished with 300 total yards and controlled possession for more than 36 minutes, using a balanced rushing attack and efficiency on third down to secure the win.

Azusa Pacific closes out the 2026 season on road next week at the University of Redlands for a 1:05 p.m. game in Ted Runner Stadium.
 
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