by Jonathan Corral
Assistant Editor
In a game that was close to being cancelled due to local fires, rushing was the name of the game, as Azusa Pacific University easily handed the Leopards their sixth straight loss behind 163 yards rushing and four touchdowns from tailback Ben Buys as well as defensive domination for the 42-0 shutout in front of 3,100 fans at Cougar Stadium, Saturday night.
“We had plenty of clean air,” head coach Don Morel said. “If there was any immediate danger, we would have stopped the game.”
The game was a lopsided affair as Azusa showed why it is the ninth ranked National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics team in the country as the Cougars led wire to wire, never giving the Leopards a chance.
Cougar tailback Buys had an outstanding game as his 163 yards came on 23 carries to go along with a tandem of rushers who neared the century mark. As a team, the Cougars totaled 393 yards from scrimmage. The Leopards mustered up 121 yards of total offense.
Right from the get go, the Cougars looked to dominate as they took the ball 60 yards down the field in nine plays capping it with Buys diving into the end zone from a yard out, for the early 7-0 lead.
The Leopards’ opening drive showed signs of what was to come; It went for three plays and minus 7 yards.
“Azusa has an extremely tough defense,” Morel said. “Their defense is in the top five of all NAIA Division One schools.”
Azusa quickly responded with its second score of the game with Buys running it in for the 3-yard touchdown, his second rushing touchdown of the game, increasing the Cougar lead to 14-0, at the end of the first quarter.
The Cougar drive was set up nicely by an excellent return after the John Barnes punt put Azusa on the Leopard 3-yard line.
The hits kept on coming as the Cougars closed the door early on the Leopards with Buys third score of the game. This time Buys took it outside and scampered 7 yards to pay dirt for the 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Leopards looked more like themselves mid-way through the second quarter, where they put together a textbook drive.
They used combo rushing from running backs Joe Camacho and Justin Wolfchief to gain a little momentum in the contest. Camacho rushed for 40 yards in the game and Wolfchief chipped in with 29. As a team, the Leopards rushed for a combined 98 yards.
The Leopard passing game was off-timing, as Brian Guerrero took the helm for Jason Winn who is out because of a concussion he suffered last week against Redlands.
Azusa’s deadly running attack continued as Buys scored his fourth consecutive rushing touchdown from 6 yards for the commanding 28-0 halftime lead.
“What can I say? Azusa is just a really good football team,” Morel said. “But we still continue to improve each and every week, and we are still as hungry as ever.”
Coming out for the second half, the Leopards looked enthused as ever and showed what kind of heart they have as a team. The Cougars, though, were just too strong, adding yet another rushing touchdown early in the third. This time James Keeler found the back of the end zone for the 1-yard score and the 35-0 lead.
Leopard defense stepped up the rest of the third quarter, not allowing the Cougars to mount any sort of an offensive drive.
Taking control defensively for the Leopards was Gabe Segovia, who led the team with nine tackles. Greg DeLong chipped in with seven tackles as well as freshmen Mike Senyo, who made his first start, contributed nicely with seven tackles and one sack.
“I was really excited about my first start,” Senyo said. “I went all out the entire game and held nothing back, and as a team, we all played hard for each other, trying to do the best we could.”
Also playing well was senior Phil Faulding, who pitched in three tackles, two of which were for a loss and he clogged up the middle with force not allowing any holes to open up for the Cougars.
Staying true to form, APU added one more score, again a rushing touchdown from Grady Thomas with the 7-yard dash to finalize the score at 42-0 mid-way through the fourth quarter.
“As a team we will still be out there giving a 110 percent effort trying to win a football game, despite what has happened in previous games,” Morel said.
The loss still leaves the Leopards winless on the season but with great optimism, as they return to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition, tomorrow afternoon at Ortmayer Stadium, with a battle against the Whittier College Poets, who are also winless on the season.
“I will say this: My team has very good character, and I am extremely proud of them for the effort they show me and the rest of the coaches,” Morel said.
Jonathan Corral