Oh those aching growth pains.

Without them, one is stuck in a perpetual state of immaturity, but enduring them, however painful they may be, produces a wholeness that garners respect.

Azusa Pacific is tolerating those growth pains as the program takes on another level of competition.

Six NAIA playoff appearances in 8 years, including the program’s first-ever national championship in 1998, combined with the program’s lack of conference affiliation which in turn allowed former foes to flee the schedule, has forced Azusa Pacific to move the program in another direction, to take on the most challenging of opponents in places scattered across the United States.

The early results have been mixed in the Cougars’ step up in competition, but on the horizon there appears to be dividends coming their way as a payoff for their fortitude.

Azusa Pacific returns 47 players from last year’s 2-8 team, including 15 redshirts. In to fill the gaps is the largest recruiting class in program history, 65 newcomers to be exact, including 22 transfers.

“We knew heading into these past 2 years that the schedule was getting more difficult,” said fourth-year head coach Victor Santa Cruz, “and the program is in a real growth stage. While the experience has toughened us and exposed us to different brands and styles of play that we’ve addressed from a schematic point, we’ve also adjusted our recruiting and secured players who will help us compete against stronger opponents.”

In the process of improving, Santa Cruz did not compromise the Cougars’ trademark speed for the sake of size. Though somewhat undersized in the past, Azusa Pacific always made up for its deficiencies with lightening-like quickness, particularly on defense. And the speed seems to be there again.

“On paper and through our testing, this may be some of the best overall speed that I’ve seen in our program,” said Santa Cruz, who is entering his ninth year in the Cougar program. “How quickly we can rely on the speed will depend on how the team comes together in the opening weeks of fall camp.”

The Cougars will continue to employ a spread-like attack on offense under the direction of true-sophomore and now veteran quarterback John van den Raadt. As a collegiate rookie last year, van den Raadt was thrown into the fire when injuries felled the top 2 quarterbacks and forced van den Raadt to start the final 7 games of the season.

“Given who we’re able to recruit, the spread offense is a great scheme for us,” said Santa Cruz. “It allows us to complement our recruiting opportunities. We’ll be a balanced offense. We will not be pigeon-holed as simply a running or passing offense. For us, our offense will be predicated each week of what a defense is willing to give us.”

On defense, Azusa Pacific will continue with its double-eagle flex scheme, which relies on an odd front look and the mobility of linebackers and safeties – known as mikes, bandits, rovers, sams and whips. Junior Jay York, a 2-year starter and a “rover” by trade, is back to spearhead the defense after leading the team last year with 70 tackles.

“We have a lot of big, young talent coming in on defense,” said Santa Cruz. “We love to crowd the box and attack. We know that a times there comes feast or famine with that style, and probably more famine last year, but we have an opportunity this year to be a very good defense.

Azusa Pacific’s 11-game schedule features 4 NCAA Division II opponents (the most by any NAI A school this year), 2 NAIA playoff teams of a year ago (Carroll and Langston), the winningest NCAA Division I FCS mid-major over the past 4 years (San Diego) and a 2008 NCAA Division III playoff team (Wisconsin-Stevens Point). In the course of their travels this season, the Cougars will play games in Montana, Wisconsin, Washington, Utah and Texas.

“Our goal is always to win a national championship,” said Santa Cruz, “but we understand that there are a lot of practical steps that first have to take place. First we have to make the playoffs, and in order to do that we have to be a fundamentally sound team. The day I see our guys playing fundamentally sound football and playing as a real family unit, then I will be pleased with our growth and who we are as a program.”

Quarterbacks

The Cougars return their top 2 quarterbacks of a year ago – van den Raadt, who threw for over 1,300 yards and 7 TDs, and Aaron Strazicich, who was the starter coming out of last year’s 2-a-days but went down with a season-ending injury in the second quarter of the season-opener. Out of camp, van den Raadt has the edge because of experience and knowledge, but both quarterbacks can run quite well and are adept and throwing on the run.

“Football is a game of numbers, and you want to maximize the 11-on-11,” said Santa Cruz. “When you don’t have a running QB, it’s basically 10-on-11, and that QB better be able to wing it. We feel very good about our passing game.”

Van den Raadt is a lanky quarterback who runs quite well and yet has a good arm that is progressing as he matures in the Cougar system. The entire offense has benefitted from having a spring to work with van den Raadt, who had little time and preparation to adjust to the college game last year after being thrown into a starting position just 3 games into what was supposed to be his redshirt campaign.

Strazicich is a natural leader and is quite competitive. He commands respect on the field and is fearless in his attack.

Freshman transfer Kramer Hagan, who redshirted last year in Jerry Glanville’s spread attack at Portland State, was a star-studded high school quarterback at Capital Christian in Sacramento. A heady signal-caller, Hagan is likely to press for more playing and emerge as a viable option as he learns the Cougar system.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Swaney varies the line-up with his size and arm strength.

True freshman Justin McPherson is an outstanding athlete who has a promising future in the program.

“Each quarterback has his own individual skill sets,” said Santa Cruz. “Though they are all young, they’ve displayed incredible poise and confidence. This is the most competitive and talented quarterback group this program has seen in 10 years.”

Running Backs

Though he started just 3 games last year, senior Chris Brown was the Cougars’ leading rusher with nearly 800 yards. Now the focal point of the Cougar ground game, Brown is looking to become the first Cougar to rush for a 1,000 yards in a season since 1999. A physical back with break-away speed, Brown should reap many benefits from a rebuilt and bigger offensive line.

“Chris has put on a solid 10 pounds of muscle during the off-season and has amazing explosiveness and strength in that body,” said Santa Cruz. “He is one of the strongest men I’ve ever been around, and he loves contact. In fact, I would rather have him make some moves rather than run through everything, but he can take it all the way. He is very fast.”

Primarily a single-back offense, the Cougars’ spread attack will use 2 backs from time to time, and redshirt freshman Oliver Petty is likely to be man in the backfield with Brown. Petty has elusiveness to his style of running and is a good receiver out of the backfield.

Fifth-year senior Rick Myra, a veteran who understands the offense and offers another back with good hands, teams with sophomore David Trifeletti, an emerging talent, to give the Cougars quality depth and a variety of options in their running game.

Former high school teammates sophomore Shane Murray and freshman Justin Souza are rejoined again in the Cougar backfield after each posted their own 1,000-yard seasons at Pioneer High in San Jose in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

The Cougars do not carry a traditional fullback, but when in the I-formation, either James Brunt will move over from the defensive line or junior Zach Leary will fill the role as capable blocking backs.

Offensive Line

The offensive line received a lot of attention from the Cougar coaching staff as they recruited to increase the size and strength of the unit. Judging by the numbers, they reached their goal. The average size of the top 4 Cougar newcomers is 6-foot-3, 315 pounds.

“We had to get tougher and nastier along the offensive front,” said Santa Cruz. “Between the whistles, these guys are going to play with an aggressive mentality.”

Heading the list of newcomers are junior college transfers John Burrows (6-5, 350, Cerritos CC) and Josh Baker (6-2, 300, Southwest CC), both of whom are ready to step into starting roles.

Freshmen Jeremy Bethell (6-5, 315, Bakersfield West HS) and Justin Matthews (6-2, 300, Glendora HS) offer a bright picture of the future as they adjust to the college game.

Much of the Cougars’ success in scoring points in 2009 will depend on how quickly the newcomers learn the Cougar blocking scheme and adjust to one another. Therefore returning center Louis Magallon (6-0, 300, sr.) will be critical in directing traffic and leading what Santa Cruz hopes will be a “pounding offense.”

Guard Eric Beaton (6-0, 250, jr.), who has played in 18 games the past 2 seasons, is the only other returning starter to the Cougar front. Fellow junior and former Western Christian High teammate Mike Loumagne (6-3, 260) is an experienced back-up who offers some much-needed depth.

“The added size up front is going to help us finish off games,” said Santa Cruz. “The off-season conditioning has been the best it’s been in 3 years, and we should be stronger and in better shape up front than we’ve been in the past.”

Receivers

All-American Jon Davis has graduated and taken with him his school-record 30 TD receptions. Now filling the gap are 4 ample receivers, all with experience in the system and all seeking breakout campaigns as “go-to” guys.

Senior Mikey Van Gorden, junior Ryan Chamberlin and sophomores Jeremiah Andujo and Matt Davis (Jon’s younger brother) are competing for key roles in the Cougar offense. All will see significant playing time, but who emerges as the top receiver will be determined as the season unfolds.

Transfers Aaron Wall (Minnesota-Crookston) and Chuck Rusinkovich (San Diego) are very athletic and will push the aforementioned quartet. Wall is big and fast but raw, having played the game for just 2 seasons, yet he has tremendous potential.

Junior college transfer Justin Jones may prove to be the Cougars’ top deep-ball threat

“Our receivers understand their role is to move the chains by creating space and making critical catches,” said Santa Cruz. “They’re fluid and athletic and can get the job done.”

Tight Ends

A reemergence of the tight end as a prominent position in the Cougar offense is expected during the 2009 campaign. Two of the largest players on the team are vying for significant playing time. Tyson Hetzer, a junior transfer from Nebraska who poses quite a build at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, teams with 6-foot-10, 260-pound Luke Marquardt, the tallest player in program history, to give Santa Cruz greater options in his offense.

Though relatively new to the sport, Marquardt has displayed great improvement over his redshirt season, and like Hetzer, he has good hands. Both players can block and should help the ground game, but with their athleticism they also could line up wide in the spread.

Defensive Line

Returnees Andrew Leasau, Jake Jones and James Brunt are the foundation of the defensive line. Leasau and Jones are on the end where they are expected to utilize their speed to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Brunt is set to key the defense at nose guard, a critical position in the double eagle flex defense.

The experienced returnees are bolstered by a strong influx of newcomers who will push for starting berths as well. Former junior college standout Mark Berry is a high-impact newcomer with great strength and speed, explaining his 13 quarterback sacks during his 21-game junior college career. Freshmen Ken Gannuscio and Jimmy Young are mature and capable rookies. Gannuscio brings a disciplined, intelligent effort, while Young is a hard-working, quick-hands player who uses leverage to get to the point of attack.

Redshirt freshman Nathan Hughes is coming off an excellent spring and has moved into the mix of potential impact players along the Cougar front.

“This is a quick and explosive unit,” said Santa Cruz. “We’ll use 3-down in our front. We’ve had past success with that formation, and it should work well for us this year, basing our scheme around that formation.”

Linebackers

York is a proven and valuable commodity, the leader of the defense. He’ll receive support from Grambling State transfer Gary Mundy.

A leaner Sal Gutierrez is back as well with a better ability to cover a lot of ground. Austin Gordon, a key reserve of last year, is pressing for starting duties, and transfers Dane Russell and Spencer Danielson are putting their names among the mix of key contributors.

Seniors Joe LaPorta and Greg Neale are solid veterans with plenty of experience and knowledge about the Cougar system. Redshirt freshman Jeremy Turner fashioned a fine off-season in which he matured and grew stronger and therefore has pushed his name toward the forefront of potential key players.

Defensive Backs

Several newcomers dot the Cougar roster in the secondary, many of which will play key rolls at the outset of the season.

Fifth-year senior Brent Willard anchors the corps as he moves from corner to strong safety. A smart and competitive player, Willard is stronger and is expected to shine at his new position while leading the group.

Returnees Nick Armesto, Tito Spilsbury, Hayden Shaw and Paul Royster are all vying for starting spots at cornerback. The sophomore Royster has displayed improvement over the spring and summer and is set to become an impact player.

Noah Peterman has been tops among the freshmen cornerbacks and could work his way into a spot on the 2-deep as the season progresses.

At safety, Azusa Pacific returns redshirt sophomore Shea Struiksma, a 6-game starter last year. Junior Trevor Love is at full strength for the first time in 2 years and could push to regain the starting berth he had coming out of 2-a-days last year.

Sophomore transfer Darin McGinnis is a fine athlete who could move into an important role as he learns the system.

Special Teams

Two years ago Azusa Pacific arguably had the best place-kicker in the NAIA in Ben Hansen, who made 16-of-17 field goals and scored 85 points during his 2007 sophomore season. Injuries beset Hansen and sidelined him in much of 2008. Healthy once again and now a senior, Hansen is ready to resume his pursuit of All-America honors. Hansen is extremely accurate from 45-yards and has the leg-strength to make field goals 50 yards or longer.

Freshmen Austin Kehmeier and Zach Campbell are competing for the punting duties.

Rusinkovich, Andujo, Jones and newcomer Rashad Emery are the likely kick returners when the season opens Aug. 29 at NAIA power Carroll College.

Follow Cougar Athletics online with Twitter updates, at twitter.com/APUCougars. Cougar Athletics is also available on all web-enabled devices through Azusa Pacific’s mobile website: www.apu.edu/m.