ALYSA PERRARAS | staff writer

Will APU become the first-ever five-loss team to reach the NAIA playoffs?

It was a good day for Cougar football this past Saturday. Playing in what head coach Victor Santa Cruz called one of the “most complete games of the year,” the Cougars triumphed over Webber International University 31-20.

The victory ends the regular season on a four game winning streak. The Cougars finished 6-5 and made their first appearance in the NAIA top 25 thereafter.

The Cougars had a great running game against WIU early, which enabled them to gain an early lead.

Junior running back Alex Peltier scored two touchdowns for the Cougars, arguably his best game of the season.

“All of those guys are my friends and I knew that if I did not play I would have let them down and I know that I would have really regretted it,” Peltier said.

Peltier recently suffered an injury to his ankle and was advised to rest for next season, but he took the field anyway.

“He had no reason to play except for us seniors who are leaving and I respect him so much for what he did. He came out and played a great game and he deserves way more credit than what he gets,” senior quarterback Rudy Carlton said.

The other two touchdowns of the game came from sophomore fullback David Kim and junior wide receiver Jon Davis.

Davis’ catch brings his touchdown totals to 21, the highest in all of college football so far this season. Davis also broke the APU record for most points in a single season with 128. The record was formerly held by Cougar legend Christian Okoye who had 126 points in 1986.

Playing in their second consecutive road game, the Cougar defense had yet another great showing and was very successful at shutting down the Warriors.

“Defense is not built on one superstar making all the plays, it is built on everyone doing their job. And if a play comes your way then be ready to make a play,” sophomore defensive lineman Kenny Simmons said. “I think people really started to understand that concept later on in the season, which is why we are doing so well now.”

Senior defensive back Jayson Sanchez had two interceptions and said the Cougars played one of their best defensive games this season during the first three and a half quarters.

In the latter part of the fourth quarter, the defense let up some and the Warriors were able to score two late touchdowns. However, the Cougars managed to hold on for an 11-point victory.

With the regular season coming to an end, the players now look back at what they have accomplished and what lies ahead.

“We all bought into the concept of one blood this season. And we have grown together as a brotherhood—this is one of the tightest families I have ever been a part of,” Sanchez said.

The question which looms over the program now is whether or not their 6-5 season is enough to get them into the playoffs.

“It is a coin flip right now, but we are really excited about it because, if we get the chance, I think we will do really well,” Davis said.

As an independent team, the Cougars must rank within the NAIA top 20 in order to receive the guaranteed spot for independents. This week, they are ranked No. 24, with one more week of regular season play left.

“We have set ourselves up so we are at least knocking on the door and now we need some almighty intervention,” Santa Cruz said.

Now, the Cougars are hoping the results of this week work in their favor, which will enable them to rise in the ranking and earn a spot in the playoffs.

“I think we have earned it. We have had one of the toughest schedules in the NAIA. Not only the opponents, but also the travel. We are playing some good football and I believe if you are looking for the top teams in the nation to be in the playoff bracket, we are a playoff team,” Santa Cruz said.

Although the team has been doing well the last few games of the season, the five losses on their record cannot be ignored.

“We sort of have put ourselves in the situation we are in. I would be disappointed if we did not make it, but in some ways it is our fault for not winning the games we should have won,” Davis said. “If we do make it, we just have to go one game at a time and put ourselves in the best possible position and I think we would be a great contender.”

The team continues to practice throughout the week and will receive notice about whether or not they made the playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 11. Regardless of the outcome, the players and the coaches feel like they have still accomplished many great things this season.

“We have at least put ourselves in the position for the opportunity. What we have all learned this year coming out of a 1-4 start is that you just keep swinging. In life, if things do not go your way you have a couple of options: you can quit or you can keep learning and keep growing,” Santa Cruz said. “These guys kept swinging and kept working hard and now they have an opportunity and I hope that is something they carry with them the rest of their lives.”