By: Joe Reinsch

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the second time in four years, Azusa Pacific football will have a national platform, as the Cougars' Week 9 (Oct. 28) visit to Central Washington will stream live on ESPN3 as part of the Division II Football Showcase.

Azusa Pacific, the reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion and winner of three of the past four conference titles, will take on last year's top GNAC challenger in Central Washington, which went 7-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play with both defeats coming to the Cougars.

"We are proud to represent Azusa Pacific University and the GNAC on a national stage," head coach Victor Santa Cruz said. "Being selected for the football showcase reflects the growth of our program and the national appeal of Azusa Pacific. We're excited to highlight our program and university to a national audience, especially in an environment at Central Washington which will challenge us to be the best we can be."

Azusa Pacific opened the 2014 season, its first season of active NCAA Division II membership, in front of a national audience with a thrilling 26-23 double-overtime victory over No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State which was televised on CBS College Sports.

ABOUT ESPN3: ESPN3 is ESPN's live multiscreen sports network, a destination which delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through the ESPN app. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.

