Terrell Watson scores the winning touchdown in double overtime!
(Glendora) – Terrell Watson scored on a one-yard run in the second overtime to give Azusa Pacific a 26-23 win over Grand Valley State Thursday night at Citrus College in the season opener. Watson scored both touchdowns for the Cougars in the overtime sessions. Grand Valley State managed only a field goal on its second OT possession.
Watson started slow but finished fast. After gaining just 18 yards in the first quarter, Watson got rolling in the second and had 105 yards at the half. He finshed with 207 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries – the biggest scores coming in the first and second overtimes.
Grand Valley State had a golden opportunity to win it in the fourth quarter but Joel Schipper missed a 25 yard chip shot with 3:48 left in the quarter. APU took over but was forced to punt giving Grand Valley State one last shot. APU held however and the game was tied at 13 after regulation setting up Watson’s heroics.
Schipper gave the Lakers a 3-0 lead in the first quarter booting a 40 yard field goal. Former Maranatha star Andrew Elffers scrambled in from the quarterback position for a 16 yard run to give the Cougas a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.
Heath Parling hit Keontre Miskel for a 23 yard TD strike with just 2:06 left in the half and Grand Valley State carried a 10-7 lead into the break.
Taliuaki Suliafu and CJ Broussard were huge on defense.
Watson scored his first touchdown of the night on a 10 yard run in the third to give APU a 13-10 lead. Schipper kicked a 40 yarder on the first play of the fourth quarter to tie it at 13. The three pointer was set up when Azusa Pacific quarterback Chad Jeffries (Glendora) threw an interception. Jeffries came on for the Cougars in the third quarter.
Both teams had opportunities throughout the contest but were hurt by mistakes. APU turned it over three times compared to four for Grand Valley State.
Azusa Pacific had 220 total yards on the ground and just 52 passing.
Nick owens was 6 of 12 for 35 yards and an interception. Jeffries completed 2 of 5 for 17 yards and a pick. Elffers did not attempt a pass and his only net gain rushing was the 16 TD romp. He was sacked once for nine yards.
Parling finished 16 of 36 for 199 yards and a TD for Grand Valley State. Miskel, his go to guy, had five catches for 76 yards and a score.
The win was a little payback for the Cougs who lost to the Lakers 38-17 last year despite 174 yards by Watson.
Overtime:
APU – Watson scores on a four-yard run. Jaime Cacciatore Kick 20-13
Grand Valley State – Michael Ratay one yard run. Schipper Kick 20-20
2nd Overtime:
Grand Valley State– Schipper 27 yard FG 23-20 GVS
APU- Watson one yard run. 26-23 Final
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