AZUSA, Calif. – NAIA power Azusa Pacific will play a 9-game schedule in 2005 that features some powerful opponents in Sacramento State, Carroll, Humboldt State and Willamette.

The Cougars, who finished 11-3 last year while advancing to the NAIA semifinal playoffs, open 2005 with 3 straight road games, finish the season with 2 contests on the Great Plains and in between play 4 home games all in the month of October.

For the ninth straight year, Azusa Pacific opens the new campaign against NCAA Division I-AA University of San Diego, visiting the Toreros Saturday, Sept. 4, in San Diego. The following week the Cougars return to Helena, Mont., site of last fall’s NAIA semifinal match-up, to take on 3-time defending NAIA champion Carroll College. The Cougars make their 2005 home debut on Sept. 18 when they host for the first time ever, NCAA Division III power Willamette University of Salem, Ore. The Bearcats are coached by former Azusa Pacific great Mark Speckman. Azusa Pacific closes out September with a swing up the Northern California coast to play Humboldt State for the 16th straight year, visiting the Lumberjacks Sept. 24.

The month of October opens with Azusa Pacific’s annual visit from NAIA rival Southern Oregon, which comes to the Canyon City Oct. 1. The Cougars then take on NCAA Division I-AA Sacramento State on Oct. 8 in their first-ever visit to the state's capitol city. Not since 1997 (vs. Cal State Northridge), has Azusa Pacific played a scholarshipped NCAA Division I-AA school. Western New Mexico (Oct. 15) and Eastern Oregon (Oct. 29) follow the trail into the Canyon City in successive weeks. All 4 home games kick off at 6 p.m. Azusa Pacific is 15-1 at home over the past 3 seasons.

Azusa Pacific closes out the regular season with its first-ever visit to Fargo, N.D. where it will lock horns with NAIA member Valley City (N.D.) in the Fargo Dome, Thursday, Nov. 10.

Olivet Nazarene, Trinity (Texas) and Chapman do not return to the Cougar schedule this year after hosting Azusa Pacific in games during the 2004 season. Also, Crown College and Azusa Pacific agreed to not honor the contract for a return game to Minnesota for the 2005 season.

Azusa Pacific, which finished last season ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, is 28-6 over the past 3 seasons.