AZUSA, CALIF. –- Azusa Pacific, winner in 9 of 10 games last fall, concluded its 2003 Spring football practice healthy, strong and full of promise for the coming fall season. The Cougars have their eyes set on not only having a good season but one that includes postseason play as well.

“Our Spring workouts went very well,” said Azusa Pacific coach Peter Shinnick, who is entering his fifth season as the Cougar mentor. “I thought we had a great 8-week lifting program that really allowed us to achieve more this Spring.”

Over 65 returnees participated in the 4-week practices, including 13 starters. Another 3 starters did not practice because of their commitment to Azusa Pacific’s NAIA championship track & field team and another starter is away this semester studying in Europe.

For the first time in nearly 3 decades Azusa Pacific had a 3-year starting quarterback last season. However, Luke Winslow, the program’s all-time leading passer has graduated and his 3 primary back-ups are now vying for the starting spot.

“I’ve tired to follow what Miami and USC have been saying and doing this Spring,” said Shinnick, “because like us, they both lose longtime starting quarterbacks. We finished Spring with 3 guys who will compete fiercely for the starting position when 3-a-days start in August. Right now, there isn’t much difference from being a starter and holding a clipboard on the sideline.”

Junior Eric McClenahan, sophomore Sean Davis and redshirt freshman Rudy Carlton are all in the mix to be Azusa Pacific’s next signal-caller. McClenahan and Davis have game experience while Carlton is raw but has the tools to become a very good collegiate quarterback.

They’ll have time on their side to develop in the system since Azusa Pacific returns 8 starters on offense, including 4 along the offensive front. Additionally, the top running back, sophomore Ben Buys (855 rushing yards and 16 TDs in 2002), and a pair of outstanding receivers, seniors Ryan Allen (33 catches and 3 TDs) and Nate Farris (24 catches and 9 TDs) return to lead what could be an even better offense than the one that averaged a hefty 34.8 points last year, second-best in Cougar football history.

On defense all 11 starters from the final 2 games of 2002 are back, which includes an outstanding defensive front paced by second team NAIA All-American Nick Tavaglione, who led the Cougars a year ago with 10 QB sacks. Azusa Pacific held the foe to just 45 points over the final 4 games (11.3 avg.) of last season.

“Our defense is very good and will continue to be very good,” said Shinnick. “It’s a strong unit and the best defense we’ve had in my time here.”

Shinnick felt as if this year’s Spring practice was just as good as last year’s which was considered to be the best in his tenure.

“We needed to identify some key guys that had developed in the off-season and could be counted on for next year. Guys like (OT) Sean Moses and (OG) Steven Mejia had terrific Springs and should prove to be factors on our offensive line next season.”

Other returnees whom Shinnick singled out for what he termed as a “great Spring” include: free safety Louis Jamison, defensive end Jed Thurner, cornerback Brian Rocheleau, linebacker Joey Prestella, noseguard Pedar Moore and wide outs John Miller and David Canales.

Freshmen who seemingly set themselves apart during the Spring include: free safety Zach Bolton, defensive back Kyle Rausch, and offensive linemen Evan Scott and Mike Hauser.

Azusa Pacific opens its 9-game 2003 schedule on Sept. 6 at University of San Diego for a 7 p.m. game. The Cougars make their home debut the following week, Sept. 13, against NCAA Division III power Pacific Lutheran at 6 p.m.