AZUSA, Calif. – The spoils of victory produce the fruits of individual honors, and after winning 9 of 10 games last fall, Azusa Pacific is beginning to enjoy the taste of its success.

T.J. Woods, Nick Tavaglione and Anthony Diggs have all been named to the 2002 NAIA All-America Football Team for their individual performances.

Woods, a senior offensive tackle out of San Dimas, Calif., was accorded first team honors after anchoring one of the best offensive lines in Azusa Pacific football history. The Cougars averaged 400 yards of total offense each game (13th in the NAIA), which included a fine 176 on the ground. Additionally, Woods was the leader of a unit that yielded just 12 sacks, the fewest allowed by a Cougar team in 6 years.

Tavaglione, a junior defensive tackle from Riverside, Calif., was named to the second team defense. He was the leader of a vastly rebuilt defense that proved to be among the best in the nation. He recorded 44 tackles and led the team with 8.5 quarterback sacks, nearly more than the 9 the entire team collected in 2001. Spurred by Tavaglione’s relentless pursuit, the entire Cougar defense amassed 33 sacks in all, the highest 10-game total by a Cougar team in 15 years. Tavaglione collected a season-high 9 tackles, including 4 for loss and 3 sacks, in his Cougar debut against the University of San Diego. For his effort, he was named the NAIA national player of the week.

Diggs, a junior defensive tackle from Lancaster, Calif., received honorable mention by posting 47 tackles, including 6 sacks, 6 pass deflections and a pair of fumble recoveries, including one he returned 76 yards for a TD against No. 5-ranked Southern Oregon.

Azusa Pacific has now had 53 All-Americans since joining the NAIA in 1965, including 16 in the past 5 seasons.

Click here to view the entire 2002 NAIA All-America Football Team.