Tuesday, August 26, 2014

GLENDORA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific will take an eight-game winning streak into next Thursday's 2014 football season opener against Grand Valley State (Mich.) at Citrus Stadium.

The Cougars, who earned a No. 1 ranking in the GNAC Coaches' pre-season poll announced earlier this month, finished the 2014 season by winning their final eight games to end the season with a 10-2 record. 

That pulled head coach Victor Santa Cruz to within one victory of the career .500 mark.  Santa Cruz, a 1995 graduate of the University of Hawaii, now has a 43-44 career record in eight seasons at Azusa Pacific.

APU, which won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title last year with a 9-1 conference record,  is ranked 22nd nationally.  Their opener against second-ranked Grand Valley State will be televised nationally by the CBS Sports Network.

Grand Valley has won four NCAA Division II national titles (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006).  They also finished second in 2009.

Azusa Pacific returns 10 starters, including seven on offense. 

That group is led by running back Terrell Watson (6-2, 240, Sr., Oxnard, CA), who has rushed for 3,603 yards and 49 touchdowns in three seasons.  In two years in the GNAC, he has rushed for 2,906 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Watson, who was selected the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year last season, is one of five returning all-conference players for the Cougars.

Also back this season is free safety Tyler Thornton (5-8, 182, Sr., Bakersfield, CA) who was selected the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year; kicker Jamie Cacciatore (5-8, 175, Jr., Orange, CA); kicker returner Tarik Myles (5-6, 152, So., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) and defensive lineman Talaiasi Taueli (6-1, 275, Jr., Mesa, AZ). 

Cacciatore converted on 16 of 20 field goals and 38 of 42 extra points in earning first team GNAC honors.  Myles and Taueli were second team all-conference selections.

Myles returned 12 kickoffs for 334 yards and one touchdown last season.  He also had 20 punt returns for 230 yards.  His averages of 27.8 and 11.5, respectively, both ranked third in the GNAC.

Taueli had 34 tackles last season including 8 1/2 for tackles of losses totaling 45 yards.

In addition to Watson, Azusa will be led on offense by quarterback Nick Owens (6-0, 190, Sr., Westlake Village, CA) and wide receiver Ed Dillihunt (5-11, 210, Sr., Tulare, CA).

Owens had impressive numbers last year completing 21 of 25 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in APU's first two games before sitting out the team's final 10 contests with an injury.

"Nick's a winner," Santa Cruz said.  "I love the fact that he has been producing during camp to show us he deserves the No. 1 spot."

Dillihunt led APU in receiving last year with 28 catches for 518 yards including an 80-yard reception.  He had two touchdowns.

Among the additions on offense is wide receiver Blake Robertson (6-3, 180, Jr., Corona, CA), who has 32 career catches for 254 yards in two seasons at Sacramento State.

On defense, the Cougar return just three starters.   "Collectively, we are a young group, but it's a very athletic group," Santa Cruz said.

Thornton led the team and the GNAC last year with 120 tackles.   He also led the Cougars in interceptions with five for 146 yards.  He, however, is the lone returnee among last year's top seven tacklers.

Four other returnees, however, did have 30 or more tackles, including linebacker Steven Fanua (6-1, 225, Sr., Milpitas, CA) with 35, Taueli with 34, defensive lineman Pasiaka Fahina (6-0, 270, Sr., Mesa, AZ) with 32 and strong safety Andre Myles (6-1, 196, Sr., Rialto, CA) with 32.

AZUSA PACIFIC Cougars (Projected GNAC Finish: #1)

Head Coach:  Victor Santa Cruz, Hawaii ‘95 (43-44, 8 years).
Assistants:  Cesar Rivas-Sandoval, asst. head coach & defensive coordinator; Rudy Carlton, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks; Ben Buys, running backs; Jackie Slater, offensive line; Justin Riddle, wide receivers; Gabe Higerd,safeties; Bo Beatty, whips & bandits; Salo Faraimo, tight ends; Spencer Danielson, linebackers; Manako Tuifua, defensive line; Ryan Van Den Heuvel, off. assistant.
2013 Record: 10-2   Conference: 9-1, 1st
Returning Letter Winners:    Off – 27    Def – 17   Kickers – 2  Lost -  26
Returning Starters: Off – 7 Def – 3    Kickers  - 1
Basic Offense: Spread 
Basic Defense: Eagle  
Stadium (Capacity): Citrus Stadium  (10,000) 

TOP RETURNEES: Rushing – Terrell Watson (RB, 6-2, 230, Sr., 301-1812, 23 TDs).  Passing – Nick Owens (QB, 6-0, 190, Sr., 21-25-0, 225, 2 TDs).  Receiving – Ed Dillihunt (WR, 5-11, 210, Sr., 28-518, 2 TDs); Kyle Dravis (WR, 5-8, 180, Sr., 19-105); Tanner Henry (WR, 6-3, 180, Jr., 17-220, 3 TDs).  Kick Scoring – Jamie Cacciatore (K, 5-8, 175, Jr., 16-20 FG, 38-42 PAT).  Defense – Tyler Thornton (DB, 5-8, 182, Sr., 66-54-120, TFL 5-14, Inter. 5-146); Steven Fanua (LB, 6-1, 227, Sr., 20-15-35); Talaiasi Taueli (DL, 6-1, 283, Jr., 17-17-34, TFL 8 ½-45); Pasiaka Fahina (DL, 5-11, 270, Sr., 11-21-32); Andre Myles (SS, 6-0, 181, Sr., 20-11-31).  All-Stars – Terrell Watson (GNAC Offensive Player of the Year, HM D2Football.com All-American); Tyler Thornton (DB, GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, HM D2Football.com All-American); Jamie Cacciatore (K, 1st team GNAC); Cody Clay (OL, 6-6, 330, Sr., 2nd team GNAC); Tarik Myles (5-6, 152, So., 2nd team kick returner); Talaiasi Taueli (DL, 2nd team GNAC)

KEY LOSSES:  Lance Barker (OL, 1st team GNAC);  Matt Moody (DL, 1st team GNAC, 29 tackles, TFL 9-34); Silas Goma (DB, 1st team GNAC, 40 tackles, 17 breakups); Dasmen Stewart (QB, 2nd team GNAC, 109-194-6, 1502, 7 TDs; 58-275, 3 TDs); Sean Barber (LB, 2nd team GNAC, 86 tackles, 2 interc., 4 fumble recoveries); Jake Henderson (LB, 2nd team GNAC, 68 tackles, TFL 8 ½-33).

KEY TRANSFERS/FRESHMEN:  Deven Boston (RB, 6-0, 205, Fr., Fullerton, CA – Bueno Park); Chad Jeffries (QB, 6-2, 200, So., Gendora, CA – San Diego State); Blake Robertson (WR, 6-2, 189, Jr., Corona, CA – Sacramento State); Josiah Thropay (TE, 6-5, 240, So., Duarte, CA – Mt. San Antonio CC)