23-21 loss Saturday afternoon to the Wolves continues APU’s losing streak as they fall to 1-8
There were three seconds left on the clock and the Cougars had the ball on their opponent’s 20-yard line. On one side was a Cougars team who has battled adversity all year and has struggled to gain momentum. On the other side was a Western Oregon team that has found success all season with a 6-3 record. Yet the narrative of the underdog conquering the formidable opponent seemed destined, as a field goal would have given the Cougars a 24-23 win.
The ball was snapped, the holder perfectly corralled and placed the ball for kicker Ramzee Jaridly to kick it through the uprights. Jaridly took his steps and placed his foot on the ball, however, the football failed to get passed the line of scrimmage. Wolves linebacker Nate Proctor got his hand on the ball and blocked the kick, allowing Western Oregon to escape with the 23-21 win and the program’s first-ever GNAC title.
Despite the loss, it was a positive performance for the Cougars as this young squad was able to compete with the league’s best. Nevertheless, the loss means that APU extended their losing streak to five, and their record is now 1-8.
The first drive for the Wolves went quickly, with WOU going 84 yards on eight plays and scoring the game’s first touchdown. Following the score, neither team was able to build strong drives in the first quarter, and by the end of the 15 minutes, the score remained 7-0.
The second quarter was a complete turnaround for APU, as they scored two touchdowns, one from the arm of quarterback Tyrone Williams Jr. and the other a kickoff return for seven by Curtis Anderson. However, the Wolves were also able to score a touchdown and the score was tied at 14 by the start of the second half.
It continued to be a tight contest in the final 30 minutes, with neither team being able to run away with the victory. Neither team scored in the third, making the fourth quarter even more important. It didn’t start well for APU, as two plays into the final quarter of play, WOU was rewarded a safety. The Wolves scored again with seven minutes left in the game with another touchdown and took a 23-14 lead.
APU responded with a scoring drive of their own, going 84 yards on 15 plays. Williams tossed for the touchdown, finding Jasiah Richard-Lewis open for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
The Cougars defense responded with the strong stop and gave the offense the ball back on their own 15-yard line with 59 seconds left. APU did everything right as they completed several short passes that stopped the clock, and they also received some assistance from the Wolves as they took a costly 15-yard penalty. Unfortunately, their efforts were halted as a blocked kick sent them back to Azusa with their eighth loss of the season.
The effort from this squad has continued to improve game after game, and even though the outcome is not what head coach Victor Santa Cruz and his squad were hoping for, there were positive takeaways. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued this team all season, but with one game left this year, it is clear the team has the potential to grow much stronger by the start of next season.
The season finale for APU will be on the road in South Dakota, as the Cougars take on the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets. Kickoff will be at noon on Saturday, Nov. 16.