Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

One of the greatest defensive lineman in Azusa Pacific history, Peder Moore returns to his alma mater as a first-year assistant for Victor Santa Cruz. Moore is working with the Cougar linebackers.

As a 2004 senior, Moore spearheaded one of the finest defenses in program history which led the Cougars to an 11-3 record and an advancement to the semifinals of the NAIA playoffs. For his effort he was named NAIA All-American second team after tallying 89 tackles, which included 25 for loss. He also scored 14 points on the season, returning a fumble for a TD, recovering a blocked punt for another and tallying a safety.

He was the captain of a defense that allowed just 9.6 points (school-record) a game in 2004. Testimony to their dominance was the effort in which the Cougars held Northwestern Oklahoma State and Sioux Falls, the 2 highest scoring offenses in the NAIA in 2004, to a combined 3 points in the oppening 2 rounds of the playoffs.

For his 4-year Cougar career, Moore finished with 205 tackles in 39 games (35 starts) with 49 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback sacks. His best outing may have come against top-ranked Sioux Falls in the 2004 NAIA quarterfinals when he collected a career-high 10 tackles from his noseguard position, including 4 for loss and 2 sacks.

Moore played 2 seasons of varsity football at Anacortes (Wash.) High where he was a 2-time all-league pick. He also lettered in soccer and wrestling.

An outstanding athlete, Moore ran the 2004 Los Angeles Marathon and has been involved in competitive weight lifting, finishing second at the 2004 Cal State games (heavyweight division).

He graduated from Azusa Pacific in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in physical eduation.

Peder and his wife Laurel (a former Cougar tennis player) reside in Whittier where Moore is a physical education teacher at East Whittier Middle School.