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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

The Online Home of the Azusa Pacific Cougars

1997 Football Roster

4 Jeff Atherton

  • Position Wide Receiver
  • Height 5-8
  • Weight 175
  • Class Senior
  • Major Ministry Studies
  • Hometown Lakewood, CA (Mayfair HS)
  • High School Mayfair High

Biography

THIS YEAR: A versatile athlete with good speed, junior Jeff Atherton figures to see plenty of time in the Cougar secondary . . . Hard-working and aggressive . . . Gets the most out of his physical skills . . . Could fill a variety of roles on the special teams.

1996: After 2 years at wide receiver, jumped the line and switched to cornerback . . . Appeared in all 10 games as a back-up, collecting 14 tackles, including 12 solo . . . Had 1 pass deflection . . . Snagged his first and only collegiate interception in the Cougars' 52-33 win at Whittier, returning it 32 yards.

1995: Appeared in 8 games at wide receiver as a 1995 sophomore, starting 7 of them . . . Had 15 receptions for 210 yards (14.0 avg.) . . . Scored his lone TD of the season on a 70-yard catch vs. Menlo (his fourth career TD covering more than 50 yards) . . . Had a career-high 7 receptions for 59 yards vs. La Verne . . . Averaged a team-high 22.8 yards on kickoff returns but a concussion, which caused him to miss the Occidental game, forced him off special teams assignment.

1994: Appeared in all 9 games as a 1994 true-freshman, starting 1 (vs. Cal Lutheran) . . . Had 11 receptions for 301 yards and a team-leading 27.4 per catch average . . . Had 3 receptions of 50 yards or longer . . . His first collegiate catch was a 67-yard TD strike vs. Redlands . . . Best game was 3 receptions for 62 yards vs. Chapman . . . Came to the Cougars as a running back.

TRACK & FIELD: A member of Azusa Pacific's 1996 NAIA national championship track & field team . . . Is a 2-time NAIA All-American, running on the Cougars 4x100m relay team that finished fifth at the 1996 national outdoor championships and fourth in the 1997 NAIA championships. . . . Clocked a personal-best 10.97 to finish fourth in the in the 100m at 1996 Golden State Athletic Conference championships . . . Has lifetime bests of 6.63 (60m), 10.97 (100m) and 22.20 (200m). HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at Mayfair High in Lakewood, Calif., lettering in football and track . . . Rushed for over 900 yards and nabbed 9 interceptions as a 1993 senior . . . Against Cerritos High had 140 rushing yards with 1 TD and had 2 interceptions . . . Collected a pair of 200-yard rushing games as a member of the 1992 junior varsity team.

PERSONAL: Born July 2, 1976, in Collbran, Colo., to Charles and Ruth Atherton . . . Majoring in ministry studies and wants to become a youth pastor.

Statistics

Season:
1997

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 41

    1994Freshman

    Running Back
    5'9" 170 lbs
    41
  • 4

    1995Sophomore

    WR
    5'8" 175 lbs
    4
  • 4

    1996Junior

    CB
    5'8" 175 lbs
    4
  • 4

    1997Senior

    Wide Receiver
    5'8" 175 lbs
    4