The University of La Verne dropped its season opener at Azusa Pacific University as the Cougars dominated action in the final three quarters to post a 65-14 triumph over the Leopards Saturday at Citrus Stadium in Glendora.

APU (1-1), ranked #15 in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Poll, asserted itself by scoring on four of its six possessions in the second and third frames to pull away from the Leos (0-1) who were making their season debut.

The Cougar offense amassed 556 total yards and tallied 30 first downs on the evening.  Most of the damage occurred on the ground, as APU gained 356 rushing yards on 53 attempts.

The Cougars opened scoring on their second possession, reaching the end zone on four plays covering 47 yards as quarterback John van den Raadt found Matt Davis from 18 yards out for a 6-0 APU lead. 

APU again took advantage of a short field to earn its second touchdown, as Terrel Watson capped a six-play, 44-yard drive with a 6-yard scoring run.

The main Leopard highlight of the evening came on the ensuing kickoff courtesy of Allen Daniels, who took the kick and outraced the Cougar coverage for an 85-yard TD return to slice the deficit to 13-6.  La Verne went for two and would convert as Christian Winnewisser hauled in a pass from David Kain to pull within five points at 13-8.

From there, the Cougars seized control of the contest by reeling off 24 unanswered points before the half for a 37-8 halftime advantage.

The La Verne offense was hampered by a combination of dropped passes, penalties and turnovers in the first half despite producing a modest 115 yards by intermission. 

APU continued its momentum after the break, scoring on its first two possessions on a 6-yard run by Ronald Douglas and later on a 23-yard Justin McPherson pass to Tanner Henry to take a 51-8 advantage entering the fourth quarter.  The Cougars added a pair of scores in the final stanza on a 6-yard run McPherson run and a 1-yard score from Douglas to produce the final margin.

Sandwiched between the two scores was the first offensive touchdown for the Leopards, as quarterback Thomas Arguello capped a 10-play, 67-yard drive with a 9-yard scamper with 7:50 remaining in the contest.

Four Cougars rushed for at least 50 yards led by Oliver Petty who tallied 78 on just 6 carries. Through the air, van den Raadt completed 10 of 15 attempts for 177 yards and a touchdown.

For the game the Leos finished with 215 total yards on offense.  Arguello threw for 113 yards on 16-of-32 passing with one interception.  Arguello was also the team's leading rusher with 44 yards on 14 attempts.

The Leopards will have next week off before resuming action on September 24 when they travel to McMinnville, Oregon, to face Linfield College for a noon kickoff.

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