Azusa Pacific used the big play to dominate second-half action against the University of La Verne as the Cougars rolled to a 59-14 victory in the Leopards' season debut Saturday at Citrus Stadium in Glendora.

The contest marked the first meeting between the neighboring schools in seven years.  APU holds a 24-15 edge in the series.

Leading 17-7 at the half, the NAIA Cougars broke open the game with three scores - each covering more than 50 yards - in a span of 6:39 to seize a 38-7 lead with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter.

The Cougars scored on their third play from scrimmage on a 34-yard pass from John van den Raadt to receiver Aaron Wall to take a 7-0 lead.

La Verne answered by taking advantage of a Cougar fumble and converting the turnover into a touchdown. Leopard quarterback Josh Ross completed 3 passes on the drive, including a perfect strike to Matt Griffin for a 17-yard TD to knot the game at 7-7.

APU again used the big play to retake the lead.  Van den Raadt connected with wideout Ryan Chamberlin on a 64-yard TD strike over the middle of the field to put the Cougars up 14-7.  A 30-yard field goal from Chris Duke gave the Cougars a 10-point advantage at intermission.

The Cougars scored on four straight possessions in the third quarter.  The first was a 54-yard scoring strike from van den Raadt to Matt Davis.  On the next Cougar possession, van den Raadt raced down the sideline for a 56-yard score that pushed the Cougar lead to 31-7 less than 3 minutes into the second half.  APU would get another score in the frame to take a 45-7 lead heading into the final stanza.

In the fourth quarter, Erek Brown would give the Leopards their second touchdown of the night on a 41-yard scamper with 7:43 remaining to cap a 5-play, 66-yard drive.  Brown reached the century mark on the ground with 100 yards on 20 carries.

The Cougars amassed 545 yards on offense and limited La Verne to 232 total yards.  The Leopards committed 3 turnovers on 2 fumbles and an interception, with the Cougars converting the miscues into 17 points.

La Verne (0-1) has next weekend off before hosting #4 Linfield (OR) on Sept. 25 at Ortmayer Stadium.

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