AZUSA, Calif. – A record number 121 players reported Friday night to Azusa Pacific’s opening of football camp in preparation for the upcoming 2008 season, the 44th year of Cougar football.

Third-year Cougar head coach Victor Santa Cruz welcomed back 54 returnees from last year’s 6-5 team, but the primary boost in the roster numbers comes from Santa Cruz’s record recruiting class of 52 true-freshmen.

“There a lot of people out there on the field,” said Santa Cruz, “and with that comes a lot of enthusiasm and energy. It’s August and we’re excited to back on the field playing football, looking forward to the season ahead.”

The 2008 campaign could prove to be the most challenging in Azusa Pacific history. On the Cougars’ 10-foe docket are West Texas A&M and Central Washington University, both of which advanced deep into last year’s NCAA Division II playoffs, University of San Diego, which is 46-10 over the past 5 years and is the highest scoring NCAA FCS program the past 2 seasons, Wisconsin-La Crosse and Wisconsin-Stevens Point, both of which were ranked last year and hail from the top conference in NCAA Division III, and Carroll College, the defending NAIA champion which went 15-0 last year.

The Cougars begin 2-a-day workouts Saturday (Aug. 9), and after taking a day off Sunday, they return to double-duty practices Monday (Aug. 11) and continue with themfor 2 weeks in preparation for Azusa Pacific’s Aug. 30 home-opener vs. Carroll.

Seven starters are back on offense including team catalyst Jon Davis, a senior wide-out from Lodi, Calif., who last year led the NAIA with 21 TD catches, second-best in all of college football. Six starters are back on defense, highlighted by senior linemen Darrell Tupuola and Kenny Simmons.

Prior to this season the most number of players ever to report for an Azusa Pacific camp was 108 student-athletes four years ago.

Azusa Pacific was ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Coaches Spring Poll. The 2008 preseason poll will be released Monday (Aug. 11).