Azusa Pacific Wins on a Kick

All Jim Daichendt wanted was one more chance.

After missing a field goal and having an extra point blocked, the Azusa Pacific kicker got his chance and made a 23-yard field goal with 1:02 to play to defeat Huron of South Dakota, 26-24, in an NAIA semifinal at Azusa on Saturday night.

The Cougars will face Olivet Nazarene of Kankakee, Ill., for the championship Dec. 19 at Savannah, Tenn. Olivet beat Tri-State of Angola, Ind., 33-28, in the other semifinal. The final will be a rematch of a Sept. 12 game won by Azusa Pacific, 31-24.

“I was a little discouraged [after the two misses],” said Daichendt, whose game-winner was tipped too. “But I didn’t want to let the guys down. I love this team.”

The Cougars (11-2) led until Ron Chirken made a 37-yard field goal to give the Screaming Eagles (10-3) a 24-23 lead with 5:13 left.

“I thought it would be a three-point game, a fourth-quarter game,” said Coach Vic Shealy, who has the Cougars headed to their first NAIA championship game in his fourth season.

The biggest play came on the game-winning drive, when quarterback Geoff Buffum hit Dexter Davis over the middle on fourth-and-seven, and the All-American receiver turned it into a 27-yard gain to the Huron 11.

“As soon as that play was called, I knew it would be a big play,” Davis said.