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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

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Week Eight: vs. Colorado School of Mines (Homecoming)

Joel Simeone

Week 8: Azusa Pacific (1-5, 1-3 GNAC) vs. #9 Colorado School of Mines (7-0, 7-0 RMAC)

Location – Citrus Stadium, Glendora, California

Conditions – Game time is 6:30 p.m. PDT.  Game time temperature is projected to be 79 degrees with clear skies and a slight breeze from the west, with the temperature dropping to about 70 degrees by the end of the game.

Livestream – https://athletics.apu.edu/watch/?Live=14&type=Live ($6.95)

Head Coaches – Azusa Pacific: Victor Santa Cruz (14th season, 84-65).  Colorado School of Mines: Gregg Brandon (5th season, 42-12)

About Last Week – Azusa Pacific ran out to a quick 10-0 lead, but were unable to sustain things offensively as Simon Fraser rallied for a 24-17 victory at Azusa.  The Cougars were held to just 208 yards of total offense on the night.  Anthony Catalano had a 43-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but was held to just seven completions on the night while being sacked five times.  SFU freshman quarterback Brandon Niksich completed 22 out of 32 passes for 242 yards, including three second-half touchdowns to senior WR Rysen John as the Clan earned their first victory over a Division II opponent in five years, snapping a 14-game losing streak against the Cougars in the process.

Meanwhile, 1200 miles to the northeast, Colorado School of Mines posted their seventh consecutive victory to open the season and their second consecutive shutout (the first time they have accomplished that feat in 61 years), defeating Fort Lewis 42-0 at home in Golden, CO.  Freshman QB John Matocha had the best game of his young career, factoring in on every one of the Orediggers’ six scores, throwing for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns, running for 67 and another score, and he even caught a 23-yard TD pass in the first quarter.  In all, Colorado Mines racked up 537 yards offensively and had possession for nearly 37 minutes.  Defensively, the Orediggers held the Skyhawks to just 4 first downs and 78 yards of total offense.  Fort Lewis only ran five plays all day on the Orediggers’ side of the field, all of which occurred on the final possession of the game.

Cougars’ Defense:   – The Azusa Pacific Defense had one of its better games against Simon Fraser, recording three sacks and pitching a shutout in the first half.  Linebacker Ben Sukut is leading the Cougars in several statistical categories, with 39 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery thus far this season.  Alex Benter is leading the way on the line with three sacks, while Robert Bohanna has made 4.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Cougars’ Offense – Azusa Pacific is averaging 98 yards rushing per game and converting less than 30 percent of their third downs.  Quarterback Anthony Catalano has been the leading rusher this season, entering the homecoming game with 215 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns while throwing for 622 yards and 4 scores.  Junior WR Brandon Jackson was the leading receiver last week, now finding himself with 21 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns of the season.   

Colorado School of Mines Defense – While the Orediggers offense has garnered a lot of the headlines in recent seasons, their defense is having an outstanding campaign, allowing just nine points a game through seven games this season and comes into tonight’s contest having not allowed a point in nine consecutive quarters.  Colorado Mines is allowing just 1.3 yards per rushing attempt on the season and has conceded only eight touchdowns in 2019.  On average, the Orediggers are tackling opponents in the backfield nine times every game, including 23 sacks.  Senior LB Averie Mansfield is the leading tackler with just 37 on the season, but that low total is a byproduct of the Orediggers averaging a roughly seven-and-a-half-minute advantage per contest in time of possession this year.  The Cougars’ offensive line will have their hands full with the likes of Luke Jeter (7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and Nolan Reeve (4.5 sacks) up front, while sophomore CB Mason Pierce has nine pass break-ups this season.

Colorado School of Mines Offense – Freshman John Matocha has had a spectacular start to his college career as he looks to lead the Orediggers back to the Division II playoffs.  Taking over as the starting QB in Week 2, Matocha has completed over 74% of his passes this season for 1,579 yards and 17 touchdowns in six games while also rushing for 295 yards and six scores.  When he does hand it off, Cameron Mayberry has been his usual dangerous self, gaining 654 yards and eight touchdowns thus far in 2019, though he did not play in last week’s game.  In Mayberry’s absence, Michael Zeman led the team in rushing with 76 yards on 13 carries and threw a touchdown pass to Matocha on a trick play.  The receiving corps is a multi-headed hydra of its own, led by deep threat Josh Johnston (27 receptions, 479 yards, 7 touchdowns) and possession receivers Sean O’Dell (31 catches, 262 yards), Mason Karp (29 receptions, 223 yards) and Zack Hoffman (18 catches for 170 yards). 

History – This is the fourth consecutive year that the Cougars and Orediggers have met up, and the home team has won every meeting to date.  

Last Meeting – Colorado Mines 42, Azusa Pacific 27 (October 20, 2018, Golden, CO) The Orediggers jumped out to a 21-0 early in the second quarter and never looked back in the altitude.  Isaac Harker threw three touchdown passes while Cameron Mayberry ran for three scores of his own in the victory, including a back-breaking 25-yarder with 1:15 left to clinch the game.  Tyrone Williams threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns while RB Curtis Grandison had his best game as a Cougar, rushing for 159 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort.

Up Next – The Cougars wrap up their home schedule for the season against Central Washington.  Colorado Mines will return to RMAC play as they visit South Dakota Mines.

GNAC Schedule for Week 7 (all times Pacific):
Midwestern State (TX) at Western Oregon (1:00 p.m.)
Simon Fraser at Central Washington (6:00 p.m.)
Colorado Mines at Azusa Pacific (6:30 p.m.)
 
GNAC Standings through Week 7
  1. Western Oregon (4-3, 3-1)
  2. Central Washington (3-4, 2-1)
  3. Simon Fraser (1-5, 1-2)
  4. Azusa Pacific (1-5, 1-3)
 
RMAC Standings through Week 7
  1. Colorado Mines (7-0, 7-0)
  2. Colorado State-Pueblo (6-1, 5-1)
  3. Dixie State (6-1, 5-1)
  4. Adams State (4-3, 4-3)
  5. Colorado Mesa (3-4, 3-3)
  6. Western State (3-4, 3-3)
  7. Fort Lewis (3-4, 3-4)
  8. Chadron State (3-4, 2-4)
  9. Black Hills State (2-5, 2-5)
  10. New Mexico Highlands (1-5, 1-5)
  11. South Dakota Mines (1-6, 0-6)
NOTE: Cougars non-conference opponents in italics.