The sheer numbers themselves are impressive. Eighteen starters are back, including 10 from one of the best defenses in program history. The 8 offensive returnees comprise the skill positions save one. In all, 48 players return from 2003.

Yet this set of Cougars understands perhaps better than anyone in the NAIA that numbers mean only so much and even impressive figures - like a 9-1 won/loss record - can carry only so much weight.

A year ago, on the cusp of making its fourth postseason appearance in 5 years, Azusa Pacific was unexpectedly jilted, left at the alter of the NAIA playoffs by a rating committee that seemingly found more appeal in teams with a pair of losses than with the Cougars who had fashioned the program’s best regular-season record, even better than the 1998 NAIA title team that was 8-2 heading into the playoffs.

Azusa Pacific won its first 5 games and then its final 4 in a row, but evidently a mere 3 points cost it a run at the national title. A mid-season 17-14, last-minute defeat at No. 5-ranked Southern Oregon was the only difference between a perfect season with a sure playoff spot and a season that ended with a 20-14 victory over Gustavus Adolphus. Despite that victory, and 3 others in front of it, Azusa Pacific never climbed past No. 14 in the NAIA Polls and inexplicably fell in the polls despite the season-ending 4-game winning streak.

Few seasons, if any, could have ended in a more disheartening manner than when the Cougars received word that they were bounced from the 16-team playoff field before the playoffs ever kicked off. The disappointment and the accompanying annoyance have not ventured far from those returnees, who remember all so well the pain of last November. However, it has become their motivator for the season ahead.

Spearheading that point is a defensive unit that could prove to be on par with the 1981 Cougar defense, generally regarded as the best ever in program history. A pair of All-American candidates – Nick Tavaglione and Anthony Diggs – lead an even better unit than last year’s squad, which came on strong during the last half of the season.

A year ago, the Cougar defense surrendered just 3 touchdowns in the final 13 quarters of the 2002 campaign and allowed an average of just 184 yards in total offense over the final 4 games.

It was so dominating that it yielded just 1 first-quarter TD all season and surrendered only 84 points in the first 3 quarters of play.

The unit is back in near full armor with last year’s top 5 tacklers still in the fold.

On offense, game breakers Ben Buys, Ryan Allen and Nate Farris should keep the pedal to the metal for a unit that averaged nearly 35 points a game last year.

A mammoth offensive line with tremendous experience surrounds a quarterback making his first-ever collegiate starts.

Together, this is an Azusa Pacific team with the ingredients and determination to prove it belongs in the NAIA Playoffs and to right what they believed was a wrong in 2002.

Tavaglione is the senior leader of an experienced defense that will play the run and pass equally strong while wreaking havoc with a hard rush on opposing quarterbacks. Tavaglione, an NAIA All-American second team pick last year, led the team with 10 quarterback sacks in 2002 and paced a defensive front that averaged nearly 4 sacks a game. In all, 3 of the Cougars’ 4 down linemen of a year ago are back.

Tavaglione’s sidekick, junior nose guard Peder Moore, is one of those returnees. Last year, the Tavaglione-Moore tandem paired up for 104 tackles, 29 of which were for loss, including 13 sacks.

The electrifying Diggs, who received All-American honorable mention in 2002, bookends Tavaglione to give Azusa Pacific a pass rush that keeps the heads of opposing linemen on a swivel.

“This is the strongest defensive front I’ve had in my years, said fifth-year Cougar coach Peter Shinnick. “These guys are very quick and that quickness will separate them from the opponents. They’ll set the tone for each game.”

Juniors David Leary and Jed Thurner bring more experience than any other Cougars on defense. The two, who started on the defensive front in 2001, have played in all 18 games the past 2 seasons. Leary came out of the spring as the starter at nose guard while Thurner has to be one of the nation’s best defenders off the bench, backing up Diggs for another season.

Newcomer Jared Rork, a senior transfer from West Liberty State, figures to use his 6-foot-2, 270-pound frame to plug up the middle and battle Leary for playing time.

“We’re putting individuals of this front in position to make plays,” added Shinnick. “Opponents are going to have to double-team, allowing us to isolate other guys.”

Under the direction of defensive coordinator Sean Rochelle, Azusa Pacific employs a 4-2-5 system that requires just 2 linebackers, both of whom play on the inside.

The entire Cougar linebacking corps, both starters and key reserves, returns, led by starters sophomore Steve Holte, who a year ago became the first Cougar freshman ever to top the team in tackles (59 take downs, including 3 sacks), and junior Jake Fisher, who was fifth on the team with 45 tackles.

Senior Chris Chun and junior Joey Prestella (jr.) both of whom have seen significant time the past 2 years, come back with their combined 48 tackles of a year ago.

Senior Sam Betz returns after a year away from the game to join freshman Clint Shamblin as pair of backers who will compete for playing time.

Like the rest of the Cougar defense, even the secondary is full of returning starters with speedster senior safeties Louis Jamison (33 tackles, 1 interception), and Dominique DeGrammont (31 tackles) leading the way. Jamison plays the “bandit” position that allows him to use his speed to blitz from the blind side while DeGrammont, an NAIA record-holder in the track & field’s high hurdles, patrols for the deep ball. Fellow starting seniors Brian Rocheleau (sr., 37 tackles, team-leading 8 pass deflections) and Jamil Frazier (16 tackles) work the corners once again.

In the 5-man secondary used by Azusa Pacific, junior Jordan Bodell, a starter in 2001, and sophomore Gabe Higard figure to get plenty of action at the “rover” position.

“There’s a lot of speed in our secondary,” said Shinnick,” and that allows us to do a variety of different things against the pass and run. These guys move quick to the ball whether it’s in the air or on the ground.”

A year ago, this group of defenders allowed just 2 receptions over 40 yards and just 1 rush over 30 yards. This again should be a defense that doesn’t surrender the big play.

In back-up roles, returning senior Wade Tapsfield along with sophomore Brandon Pentz have significant experience in the Cougar system and should provide excellent depth in the secondary.

Transfers Damaro Wheeler (West Liberty State), Coba Canales (Penn) and Troy McPeak (Riverside CC), formerly of Colorado State, all give the Cougars additional speed, size and a hard-hitting force in the secondary.

A year ago Azusa Pacific averaged 35 points and 400 yards a game. Nearly all the weapons of that arsenal are back, except for one very key member – the quarterback. Four-year letterman Luke Winslow has graduated, taking with him nearly every career passing record in the program. In the wake of his departure, 3 relatively untested Cougars vie for the starting berth. Junior Eric McClenahan has attempted 31 passes in 5 games over the past 2 seasons and has the most experience with the system. Sophomore Sean Davis came on during the second half of the 2002 campaign and emerged as Winslow’s back-up, completing 3-of-4 passes for 29 yards in 3 games. Redshirt freshman Rudy Carlton has the talent to battle for a starting berth, but he is green.

“All 3 guys have their own unique strengths,” said Shinnick. “McClenahan is the most knowledgeable about the offense and has very good pocket presence. Davis throws the deep ball very well, and Carlton has the most zip on the ball.”

Though he may not have time on his side to develop a starting quarterback, Shinnick does have the luxury of insulating his young quarterback, whoever that may be, with an experienced offensive line, running back and receivers.

“To be honest, we’re not asking a lot of our quarterback,” said Shinnick. “There’s plenty of other tools in this offense. The guy who makes the fewest mistakes and moves the offense, who best steps up to the challenge, that is who will start at quarterback.”

In 2002 Azusa Pacific enjoyed the offerings of a deep and talented offensive line. Much of that line is back for 2003 to comprise what could be the finest offensive front in several years. However, the depth is not as prevalent, at least not at the outset of the season.

Three of the Cougars’ starting front 5 are back, led by All-American candidate senior Dave Wilford (6-5, 295) at left tackle. Wilford, once a prized recruit of UCLA, lived up to his credentials last year and anchors a line that is strong in both run blocking and pass protection. The burly Rene Arguelles (so., 6-4, 295) gets the call at one of the guard spots, while center Luc Burke (jr., 5-10, 275), perhaps the most pleasant surprise on the line last year, looks to build upon a breakthrough 2002 season. Senior guard Aaron Leverenz (6-2, 310) was a part-time starter in 2001 and brings with him tremendous strength and good experience. Senior tackle David Ah-Sue (6-6, 290), a key reserve in 2002, is projected to replace All-American T.J. Woods, giving the Cougars a starting front that averages 6-3, 293 pounds.

“We don’t have the experienced depth of last year,” said Shinnick, “but what we do have is a very experienced set of starters that are balanced in their skills as both pass protectors and run blockers.”

Sophomore Steven Mejia (6-2, 270), junior Sean Moses (6-3, 290), and redshirt freshmen Mike Hauser (6-0, 240) and Evan Scott (5-11, 245) are the first set of back-ups who will rotate at tackle, guard and/or center.

Mejia came on strong toward the end of the 2002 season, while Hauser showed some real promise during spring workouts. Moses appears to be developing into the lineman that Cougar coaches thought he would become when they signed him out of Chaffey High 3 years ago.

“We have pieces of a puzzle that we can move around,” added Shinnick. “All these guys should create a very nice shelter for our quarterback. The tackles are big and mobile while the guards are thick and powerful.”

While the new quarterback enjoys the protection supplied by his mammoth offensive line, sophomore running back Ben Buys will be the main benefactor of the holes it opens. Buys is coming off an outstanding rookie collegiate season in which he rushed for a team-high 855 yards, averaging 95 yards a game and 5.0 yards a carry. He scored 16 touchdowns, second only to Christian Okoye for the program’s most rushing TDs in a season. At 6-1, 235, Buys is bruising runner who is difficult to bring down, and with a season of experience to his credit, he is now looking to become only the seventh Cougar ever to put together a 1,000-yard season.

“Ben is forceful back there,” said Shinnick. “He has good field vision, strong legs and the ability to run through people. He doesn’t shy away from contact.”

Last year the Cougars averaged nearly 5 yards a carry as a team, and while Buys provided the bulk of those yards, at least 6 other backs enjoyed significant work carrying the ball.

However, Buys is the lone returnee at running back and thus is the “man” for more reasons than one. The Cougars are inexperienced behind him, and a plethora of youthful backs are vying for a key back-up role. Redshirt freshman Nathan Wurm is coming off a fine spring in which he emerged as a candidate to spell Buys. Fellow freshman Grady Thomas, who sat out last season at Citrus Community College, is a shifty and speedy back who figures to push Wurm. True freshman James Keeler has the skill to press for playing time out of the gate.

“We need people to step up right away,” said Shinnick, “and the position has to stay healthy.”

The Cougars’ aerial attack is as diverse as ever with 6 of last year’s top 7 receivers back for another season.

There is the speedy senior Nate Farris, who averaged 25.5 yards a reception last year and topped the team with 9 TD receptions, 7 of which covered at least 40 yards in length. Then there is the physical senior Ryan Allen, whose 33 catches for 431 yards last year primarily came in the middle of the field where he delivered blows. Fellow junior Jon Miller, an acrobatic player with as good a hands as any Cougar, looks to move into the starting line-up in place of the graduated Frankie Tapia, last year’s team leader with 44 grabs.

The promising and athletic senior David Canales, who has been slowed by injuries the past 2 seasons, could burst into the spotlight as a go-to receiver in his final year of college play.

“We going to make people cover Nate,” said Shinnick. “Ryan is ‘Mr. Dependable’ for us. He goes hard over the middle and is a good blocking receiver. Jon is a good combo receiver. He can be counted on for possession type of plays, but he can beat you deep as well. And if David stays healthy, he could be our No. 1 or 2 receiver.”

Anxiously awaiting on the sideline is a host of reserves vying for time. Junior Paul Silva, who got lost in the numbers and depth of last season, is ready to step toward the forefront. Freshmen Patrick Carroll and Todd Wilson factor in the mix as well.

“This is as fast a set of receivers as we’ve had in my 5 seasons,” added Shinnick. “We have the depth to go 4 or 5 receivers on any play and always have 2 fresh guys on the field at any time.”

In both depth and quality of player, Azusa Pacific’s set of tight ends are as good as they have had in over 15 years.

Junior Jo Jo Herrera, who at 6-1, 255 already fits in nicely with the Cougars’ large front line, is the returning starter. However, back-up sophomore Ricky Burgan (6-5, 235) is no slouch, having proven to ably handle the position in a reserve role last year.

While both are excellent blockers, Burgan sets himself apart with hands and Herrera uses his feet to excel at the position.

“The way we look at it is that we have 2 starters,” said Shinnick. “They are big targets who block well and move people around. To us, they are interchangeable.”

Yet that is not all for the Cougars. Redshirt sophomore Rory Carlton (6-2, 255) is coming off a good spring in which he displayed good hands and played well enough that he has to be considered a viable option at tight end.

“We have a luxury in that there is going to be great competition at tight end every week of the season. The competition will make us only stronger at the position.”

The depth also allows Shinnick to often utilize a 2-tightend set.

Fifth-year senior Matt Ryburn returns again after handling the Cougars’ place-kicking duties the past 3 seasons. He is currently eighth on Azusa Pacific’s all-time scoring chart with 124 points and needs to 9 more PATs to break the school career record of 94. Ryburn has a strong leg that was quite a weapon on kickoffs last year.

However, he will be pressed for duties like never before. Former Mt. San Antonio Community College kicker, junior David Ignash, transfers back to Southern California after a year of kicking for NAIA member William Penn College in Iowa. Ignash has a strong and consistent leg that allows him to compete for the job of place-kicking. It also allows him to serve as the punter. Last year, he was seventh in the NAIA in punting, launching the ball nearly 40 yards a boot.

With all the speed on this team, Shinnick has plenty of options for kick and punt returns. DeGrammont ranked among the NAIA’s best in kick returns last year, averaging over 26 yards a pop. Jamison partnered with him and averaged 33 yards on 4 kick returns.

On punt returns, Rocheleau and Farris are viable options, as are Thomas, Miller and Frazier.

Azusa Pacific’s schedule is nearly identical to last year, the only difference being Whittier falling from the slate. However, key games that were played in Azusa last year will be on the road this time, such as contests at Humboldt State and Gustavus Adolphus, and the Cougars’ closest road game will be at San Diego, where for the seventh straight year the 2 longtime rivals kickoff the new season. The Cougars also make their first-ever visit to Billings, Mont., to take on Rocky Mountain. The home opener comes on Sept. 13 against NCAA Division III power Pacific Lutheran. Cal Lutheran, La Verne and Chapman also visit the Canyon City along with NAIA power Southern Oregon, which makes its bi-annual trek to Cougar Stadium on Oct. 18.

Indeed, the Cougars have good reason to be optimistic about the season ahead. They have the numbers on their side, but they know so well that numbers mean only so much. Yet, they too have experience, both in terms of seasons played and also by the moment frozen in time – a moment of snubbing that is still fresh upon their mind.