Wednesday, August 31, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. - The fourth of our GNAC Football Video Previews profiles Azusa Pacific.

Azusa Pacific took a step back in 2015 after losing All-American running back Terrell Watson to graduation, but still proved to be a formidable opponent. The Cougars won three of their first four games and then finished the season winning three of four to tie with Central Washington for third in the GNAC. Of Azusa Pacific’s four losses, two were by just three points.

Like Humboldt State, Azusa Pacific returns their key performers on offense and another dynamic running back. Kurt Scoby finished second to Gardner in every rushing category as a freshman, averaging 110.8 rushing yards per game on 162 carries with 11 touchdowns. His efforts earned Scoby First Team

All-GNAC honors and selection as the league’s Freshman of the Year. The Cougars also return the two-headed junior quarterback tandem of Chad Jeffries and Andrew Elffers. Jeffries earned Second Team All-GNAC honors as he completed 101 passes for an average of 184.1 yards per game and seven touchdowns. Elffers finished with 64.8 passing yards per game on 33 completions and accounted for 12 touchdowns, six passing and six rushing. Azusa Pacific will be further helped by a pair of talented returning kickers and Jamie Cacciatore and Jacob Hall and kick returner Tyree Davis.

First Team All-GNAC linebacker Jonathan Thropay leads the list of seven defensive starters returning for the Cougars. Thropay finished his junior season with 80 tackles and 7.5 for loss. Second Team All-GNAC safety Taliuaki Suliafu added 53 tackles to go along with a pair of interceptions. The defense is further bolstered by senior safety Hunter Malberg, senior cornerback CJ Broussard and senior defensive lineman Billy Tanuvasa.

GNAC 2016 FOOTBALL VIDEO PREVIEW SCHEDULE
Sun., Aug. 28: Simon Fraser
Mon., Aug. 29: Central Washington
Tues., Aug. 30: Western Oregon
Wed., Aug. 31: Azusa Pacific
Wed., Aug. 31: Humboldt State