Week 4: Azusa Pacific (1-4, 1-2 GNAC) vs.
Simon Fraser (0-6, 0-2 GNAC)
Location – Citrus Stadium, Glendora, California
Conditions – Game time is 6:30 p.m. PDT. Game time temperature is projected to be 74 degrees with clear skies and a 10-mph wind from the west, with wind dropping off during the game as temperatures decrease into the upper 60s.
Livestream –
https://athletics.apu.edu/watch/?Live=14&type=Live ($6.95)
Head Coaches – Azusa Pacific: Victor Santa Cruz (14
th season, 84-64). Simon Fraser: Thomas Ford (2
nd season, 1-15)
About Last Week – The Cougars ran into a buzzsaw as the homecoming opponent for Central Washington, falling behind 17-0 and eventually ending up on the short end of a 44-6 score in Ellensburg. The key moment of the game occurred in the middle of the first quarter when the Cougars were stopped on a 4
th and 2 at the Wildcats’ 6 yard-line trailing 7-0. In all, Central Washington lit up the Cougars defense for 667 total yards. Quarterback Christian Moore, making his first start, had a career day, throwing for 423 yards and 5 touchdowns and rushing for another 70. Defensively, Central Washington wreaked havoc on the Cougar backfield all evening, recording 8 tackles for loss, including 6 sacks, and holding APU to just 3 third down conversions in 14 attempts.
While this was going on, Simon Fraser was playing their second game against a former GNAC foe of the season as they paid a visit to Dixie State. While the Clan had their highest scoring output of the season, their defense was no match for the Trailblazers, falling 55-21 in St. George, UT. It was the 48
th consecutive loss against Division II opposition for the Clan, who themselves allowed 521 yards to the Trailblazers, who jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Quarterback Brandon Niksich continues to improve for the Clan, completing 25 of 41 passes in the game for 327 yards and 2 scores in a losing effort, but was sacked 10 times. Seven of his completions went to senior wide receiver Rysen John, who turned those grabs into 149 yards and a touchdown.
Cougars’ Defense: – The Azusa Pacific defense remains a work in progress, having allowed over 600 yards for the second time this season on Saturday. Cornerback Siaki Alualu led the team in tackles against Central Washington with 11, while linebacker Ben Sukut had 10 tackles to continue to lead the team on the season, now with 33 tackles on the season. Quentin Frazier had his first interception of the season in a losing effort, the ninth turnover the Cougars have forced through five games.
Cougars’ Offense – It remains uncertain who will be the starting quarterback this Saturday for Azusa Pacific. Anthony Catalano started for the second consecutive week against Central Washington, accounting for 154 yards passing and 15 yards rushing, as well as the only scoring drive of the game. Tyrone Williams came in during the second half and threw for another 87 yards. Dante Davis is the only running back who has reached 100 yards rushing at the halfway mark of the season, accounting for 105 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Jasaiah Richard-Lewis is the leading receiver on the year with 22 catches for 381 yards and a touchdown.
Simon Fraser Defence – Junior LB Griffin Barrett has been the leading tackler for the Clan so far this season, recording 10 tackles against Dixie State, bringing his total for the season to 68. Sophomore DB Brendan Lowry has 48 tackles and five pass breakups in the secondary and shown a knack for producing big plays, forcing and recovering a pair of fumbles in the opening game against FCS Portland State. Colby Buljevic returned an interception against Dixie State for 25 yards last week, and Anthony Crescenzo has proven capable of generating pressure up front with 3 sacks on the season. This is the Cougars’ best chance to get the running game healthy this season, as Simon Fraser is allowing 261 yards per game on the ground thus far.
Simon Fraser Offence – Freshman QB Brandon Niksich has entrenched himself as the starter over the last month, and comes into Saturday’s game having completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,358 yards and 6 touchdowns. Rysen John has used his 6-foot-7 frame to good effect and has been the leader of the receiving corps for a couple of seasons. John has accounted for 27 receptions, 517 yards and five touchdown catches this year, earning himself a look from CFL scouts in the process. Ethan Beselt (22 catches, 287 yards) and Gavin Cobb (24 catches, 288 yards) produce similar numbers to each other, while In the backfield, freshman RB Solomon Hines (60 carries for 207 yards) and Mason Glover (43 carries for 101 yards) have split the carries.
History – The first time these two programs met, Simon Fraser scored the most points the Cougars have allowed in the NCAA era, recording a 66-38 victory north of the border. Azusa Pacific has won every matchup since then, and leads the all-time series 14-1, including scoring a program-record 83 points in a win at Simon Fraser in 2017. Simon Fraser also comes into this contest seeking their first win against an NCAA DII opponent since October of 2014, a span of 48 games.
Last Meeting – Azusa Pacific 38, Simon Fraser 12 (September 28, 2019, Burnaby, BC) – The Cougars played their best game of the season to date, pitching a shutout in the second half to pull away from the Clan north of the border for their first win of 2019. Anthony Catalano threw for 171 yards and ran for 128 in his first collegiate start, while running back Dante Davis ran for a career-high 79 yards and three touchdowns. Ben Sukut led the way defensively, recovering a fumble and returning a fourth-quarter interception 29 yards for a touchdown.
Up Next – The Cougars continue this home stand with a nonconference game against nationally-ranked Colorado School of Mines. Simon Fraser will play their fourth consecutive road game when they head to Ellensburg to take on Central Washington.
GNAC Schedule for Week 7 (all times Pacific):
Central Washington at Western Oregon (1:00 p.m.)
Simon Fraser at Azusa Pacific (6:30 p.m.)
GNAC Standings through Week 3
- Western Oregon (4-2, 3-0)
- Central Washington (2-4, 1-1)
- Azusa Pacific (1-4, 1-2)
- Simon Fraser (0-6, 0-2)
