The 2013 Azusa Pacific football team poses with the banner representing the final victory of their historic 10-win season after winning the Victory Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Courtesy: APU Sports Information
The 2013 Azusa Pacific football team is one that will always be remembered.
The Cougars won the first conference championship in program history. They were voted to play in a bowl game for the first time in program history and earned their 10th win of the season at that game, giving the Cougars their first 10-win season since 2004 (11-3) and with Victor Santa Cruz as head coach. It was the program’s third 10-win season in its history. The 67-0 blowout in the Victory Bowl was one point away from tying the largest point total in program history, also set by the 2004 team.
“Anytime you’re part of a historic year, it is special,” Santa Cruz said, who was named GNAC Coach of the Year. “You love being a part of it. It’s a lot of fruit for your labor and that’s what anybody wants to see. They want to see some tangible success come out of what is an intangible effort: the hours, the moments that nobody is watching where you’re sacrificing and doing the things necessary to be successful, to have some visible fruits from it and to have something for everybody to see in the win column, in the record column, it’s validating. The behind-the-scenes work ethic, sacrifice, love, power and self-discipline that the program prides itself in, it does … make a difference.”
Junior running back Terrell Watson shattered records previously held by former APU and NFL running back Christian Okoye. Watson now leads the categories of single-game and single-season rushing yards and touchdowns. He also holds the conference records for single-season rushing and touchdowns, and passed Okoye’s career rushing record after his 110-yard performance at the Victory Bowl. Watson’s program-record career totals are currently at 3,603 yards and 49 touchdowns. He broke just about every record he possibly could and still has one season of football ahead of him.
Watson was also named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year. He credited his teammates for his accomplishments, he has all season, and looks forward to working even harder for next season.
“I thought I did well this season, but there is always room for growth and there will always be something that I can work at to get better,” Watson said. “I couldn’t have broken those records if it weren’t for the rest of the offense. My mindset looking forward to next year is to work and train harder than I ever have during this offseason to make sure that I am ready for whatever comes at us next season.”
Every member of the offensive line besides senior center Lance Barker will be returning next season. Even though Barker led the team’s o-line, Watson is confident in the returning players and says they may have an even brighter future.
“Lance Barker is a great player and was a major part of the offensive line, but I think that we are fortunate to only be losing one lineman,” Watson said. “I think that the other players will step up and into their roles and be as good, if not better, this next season.”
Senior linebacker Sean Barber was the captain and leader of the GNAC-champion defense. He missed four games due to injury, but was second in tackles with 86 in eight games, averaging slightly more than 10 tackles per game. The statistics show the Cougars’ defense was second to Central Washington’s, but throughout the year the Cougars made the plays when they counted most.
“I feel so blessed to be a part of this championship team,” Barber said. “We have come a long way from being 0-7 last season to 10-2 this year. This is a special team because we are so close, we are a brotherhood. It has been a roller-coaster ride, but to finish on top is such a great feeling.”
Barber returned to the field Saturday, Nov. 9 during the second-to-last regular season game. In the contest, the Cougars clinched the GNAC championship.
“My favorite memory of this season was when Jamie [Cacciatore] made the field goal against Dixie State to give us the GNAC championship win,” Barber said. “Running on the field and seeing the fans run on the field with us was an amazing feeling, one of the happiest moments of my life so far. That is something that I will never forget.”
Free safety Tyler Thornton was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the team with 120 tackles.
“There were so many great moments and great achievements from this defense, but I also look at those low moments where maybe they gave up a quick drive, but they quickly got back on the horse and got after it again. They never got stuck in the mud when something bad did happen,” Santa Cruz said.
The football program battled injuries and had moments as high as the Cacciatore game-winner and as low as their offensive production in the 7-3 loss against Central Washington Saturday, Sept. 28. This group of champions will forever be remembered as one of the best Azusa Pacific football teams of all time.
“This is a great organization, a great team, and I’m very proud to be a part of it,” Santa Cruz said. “I’m proud of the alumni, I’m proud for this institution that experiences success, and we’re looking to continue to press on the envelope, to keep growing, get ourselves on the recruiting trail today, and get after it.”