Azusa Pacific University has been solid the past two football seasons, winning consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles.

The Cougars, who are 20-3 since 2013, look to add to their recent tradition, and they get their first chance when APU travels to Canyon, Texas Thursday to open the season at West Texas A&M. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).

“This camp has never been where myself or our players felt we’ve had to live up to expectations,” APU coach Victor Santa Cruz said. “It’s a feeling of we’re hungry to do more.

APU PRESS CONFERENCE

“College football is exciting. We get to be a part of it, and that’s where our energy is focused as we look forward to this year.”

Those expectations are again high for APU, which begins the season ranked No. 19 nationally in NCAA Division II. The Cougars were also picked to win the conference title for the third consecutive season.

APU will be led by quarterback Chad Jeffries, who prepped at nearby Glendora High School. Jeffries accounted for nearly, 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. The Cougars also look running backs Ryan Adams and Kurt Scoby (Charter Oak/St. Paul/Monrovia), a transfer from Fresno State.

The defense features two returning All-GNAC players David Kofovalu on the line and CJ Broussard in the secondary.

West Texas A&M counters with running back Geremy Aldridge, who rushed for 1,342 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, and quarterback Preston Rabb, who threw for 2,912 yards. The Buffaloes are the favorite in the Lone Star Conference and are ranked just outside the top 25.

“We have so much respect for West Texas,” Santa Cruz said. “They are a perennial powerhouse when it comes to Division II football. They are not lacking in athleticism and physicality.

“We know game one is everything you could ask for. We have our hands full.”

This is the second meeting between the two schools, with West Texas A&M w inning, 75-13, in 2008.

The game is available on the Internet via http://987jackfm.com/listen-live/popup/ and http://portal.stretchinternet.com/wtamu/.