Football Drops Victory Bowl

Published: April 13, 2021

ROME, Ga. -- One of the best seasons in Greenville football history came to a disappointing close Saturday as the Panthers succumbed to the NCAA Division II Azusa Pacific Cougars 67-0 in the 2013 NCCAA Victory Bowl. Azusa's shutout was the first in NCCAA Victory Bowl history.

Junior running back Watson was named the Outstanding Offensive Player of the game, and sophomore linebacker Jonathan Uperesa was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the game.

The Cougars scored on each of their first three possessions, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Greenville's defense forced a punt on Azusa's fourth possession, but APU rattled off three successive touchdowns and then a field goal to take a commanding 44-0 lead into halftime.

Greenville's defense played better in the second half as it limited APU to just two offensive touchdowns and a field goal. Azusa's other score came on an interception return.

Azusa offensively set the record for most points scored in an NCCAA Victory Bowl. Greenville had a total of 111 offensive yards, with the quarterback 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 and earning three of the nine touchdowns.

Uperesa collected six and a half tackles, including two for a loss of yards.

Overall, the NCCAA Victory Bowl left a positive mark on the city of Rome through the NCCAA Christian Service Project Food Drive conducted on Friday by the two participating teams. A total of 2,756 cans of food were donated to Rome's Community Kitchen.

(Photo Credit: Avery Marie Photography)