Lions take on Cougars

For the first time this season, the Lions 24 home win streak is in jeopardy as the 6-1 Azusa Pacific University Cougars come to Hunter Stadium on Saturday.

Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.

“They’re a very good football team, “head coach Patrick Ross said. “ We have seen a lot of good NAIA teams over the years and this is as good as any.”

The Cougars – like LU – are making the transition into NCAA Division 2. APU is in its first year of transition while the Lions are in their second year.

The Cougars are 6-1 and ranked 8^th in the NAIA coaches’ poll. They are looking like a playoff bound team.

APU is located in California, but it’s an independent program, allowing them to face teams from all across the country. “The number of times we play teams from the Midwest varies,” said Joe Reinsch, the APU Sports Information Director.

This will be the second road game the Cougars play. The team went to Utah to face Dixie State last week. In the past, the Cougars have traveled to states such as: Florida, Oregon, Montana, Wisconsin, and Texas.  

Ross and Cougar head coach Victor Santa Cruz are friends. Their schedules had open dates so they decided to play each other.

LU starting junior running back Denodus O’Bryant injured his shoulder last week and will be a game time decision. He also had a high ankle sprain early in the season. “I am gonna do a little bit of rehab and see how it goes,” O’Bryant said. “If I get to play then I am gonna be playing.”

The Lions are 5-2 and coming off a 61-16 win against Kansas Wesleyan. Check the game story on LindenLink.com for an in-depth recap.