From left to right: Eric Meniefield (TE), Graham Paterson (C), and Robby Palacios (RT). The Cougars will be wearing white jerseys, with stealth black pants. The helmets, also black, will have a matte finish.
(Davis,CA)- The Azusa Pacific Cougars will kick off the 2012 football season tonight at UC Davis. This will be APU’s first year of NCAA Division II competition.
Cougar Notes Going In:
*This is the fourth time the Cougars will face a D-I opponent. The last time was on September 22, 2007 when they fell at Nicholls State (Louisiana) 30-28.
*APU now competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. It is the first conference membership in the program’s 47 year history.
*Defensive End Erik Bonn, center Graham Paterson, defensive back Chris Romero, and running back David Trifeletti will serve as team captains on Thursday night.
*The Cougars have never won a football game played in August (2007-2009).
*APU has played only once before on a Thursday night. On November 10, 2005 they defeated Valley City State, 34-31, to secure a playoff birth. The starting quarterback was Rudy Carlton, currently the team’s offensive coordinator.
*Four starters return along the offensive line: Luke Marquardt at left tackle, Robby Palacios at right tackle, and left guard Lance Barker.
*APU HC Victor Santa Cruz enters his sixth season.
*UC Davis moves from the Great West to the Big Sky Conference in 2012.
*Notable Davis Alums include quarterbacks: Ken O’Brien, Mike Moroski, J.T. O’Sullivan, Arena League standout Mark Grieb, CFL star Khari Jones, and Kevin Daft, who served as a back up on the Tennessee Titans Super Bowl XXXIV.
*Former USC linebacker Dallas Sartz is on the Aggie staff.
*APU’s home opener will be September 15, against Dixie State at Citrus College (6:PM)
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