Rome, G.A.- The Azusa Pacific University Cougars are the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl™ Champions! Azusa Pacific faced the 2012 Champions Greenville College Panthers at noon in Barron Stadium. Shorter University and the Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl™ in its 16th year of existence.
Azusa Pacific defeated Greenville with a convincing 67-0 shutout win. Azusa's shutout was the first in NCCAA Victory Bowl history. Azusa offensively set the record for most points scored in an NCCAA Victory Bowl. Greenville had a total of 111 offensive yards, with the quarter back Brendan Chambers earning 97 of those yards (29 passing and 68 rushing). Azusa posted 388 yards offensively; with the running back Terrell Watson rushing for 110 yards earning 3 of the 9 touchdowns.
Terrell Watson, junior running back from Azusa Pacific University, was named the Outstanding Offensive Player of the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl™. Jonathan Uperesa, sophomore defensive lineman from Greenville College, was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl™.
Special thanks to Shorter University and the Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl™! Rome, Georgia was a great location for this event; both teams and the NCCAA felt very welcomed and enjoyed the environment created by the host committee. The NCCAA Victory Bowl also left a positive mark on the city of Rome through the NCCAA Christian Service Project Food Drive conducted on Friday, November 22 by the two participating teams. A total of 2,756 cans of food were donated to Rome’s Community Kitchen.
An Outsiders Perspective- Article written by Jim Alred published in the Rome News-Tribune:
I’ve seen coaches go ballistic. I’ve seen players throw helmets and pitch tantrums. I’ve seen fans scream obscenities at anyone and everyone within earshot.
During the second half of the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl at Barron Stadium Saturday afternoon, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see any of the above.
At halftime, Greenville, the defending champions and one of the top rushing teams in all of NCAA Division III, trailed Azusa Pacific 44-0.
Someone apparently forgot to tell the Greenville players. Down by more than six touchdowns, the Panthers’ players on the sidelines jumped, danced, chanted and cheered.
If not for the scoreboard, I would have thought the game was close, or Greenville even had a lead.
Down 67-0, not one player on Greenville’s sideline hung his head. Maybe the cheering wasn’t quite as loud as it was in the first half, but they were still encouraging their teammates.
Offensive lineman Ethan White, who told our reporters on Friday he wished the game was that day, was one of several players leading the cheers.
White thumped his shoulder pads and shouted with the same zeal he attacked Azusa defensive lineman when he was on the field.
After the game, I saw the same things from Greenville coach Robbie Schomaker. Schomaker didn’t love the final score, but he offered a bit of wisdom about his team.
“We play football because of the brotherhood. We play football because we love the game,” he said.
Greenville showed this love when the game was 0-0. They showed the same love when it was 67-0.
My hat goes off to Azusa Pacific. The Cougars played a great game, and I’m not so sure they could have played much better.
But I’ve got to say Greenville really put a smile on my face. The team showed how much they love the game, and more importantly how much they care about each other.
It’s easy to say how much brotherhood means to your team when you’re winning. It’s another to show everyone how much it means even when you don’t.
Author: Jim Alred, New Media Director for News Publishing Company
Full article found online: http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/sports/local/jim-alred-column-panthers-show-heart-in-loss/article_b984a208-555f-11e3-a10d-001a4bcf6878.html