Saturday, November 23, 2013

ROME, Ga. - It was another record-setting day for Azusa Pacific and running back Terrell Watson.

Watson rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 67-0 thrashing of Greenville, Ill. Saturday in the Victory Bowl at Barron Stadium.

Watson scored on touchdown runs of 1, 37 and eight yards in the first half as APU built a 44-0 halftime lead in extending its win streak to eight games in the bowl game sponsored by the National Christian College Athletic Association and finish its second season in the GNAC with a 10-2 record.

Meanwhile, quarterback Dasmen Stewart completed 11 of 13 passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns, two to Tanner Henry and one to Ed Dillihunt.

APU also scored on touchdown runs of eight and one yard by Justin McPherson and on a 48-yard interception return by Sam Flemming.  Kicker Jamie Cacciatore added 13 points, converting on seven of nine extra points and kicking 42 and 25-yard field goals.

Watson finished his junior season with GNAC single-season records for rushing yards (1,812) and touchdowns (23).  He also set GNAC and APU records for career rushing (3,603 at APU and 2,906 in two GNAC seasons).

He broke the old school record of 3,569 by Christian Okoye who played between 1984 and 1986.

The Cougars' 10-win season was its third in school history and the first since 2004.  Its 67-point winning margin was the largest in school history and its 67 total points was just one off the school record. 

The shutout was also the first for the Cougars since defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State 16-0 in a 2004 playoff game. Greenvile, a NCAA Division III school, finished its season with 9-2 record after starting the season with nine consecutive wins.