SOUTHLAND ROUNDUP : Loss Dims Azusa Pacific’s Hopes for Postseason Berth

Quarterback Brian Hunt turned in a record-setting performance but Azusa Pacific’s hopes for a playoff berth probably ended Saturday when UC Santa Barbara defeated the Cougars, 27-23, in a nonconference game at Azusa Pacific.

Azusa Pacific, which had been in contention for a berth in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II playoffs, dropped to 5-2.

Hunt completed 40 of 62 passes for 416 yards, eclipsing the school record of 369 yards that was set by Greg Gano in 1978.

Hunt has passed for 2,324 yards this season, breaking Gano’s record of 1,918 that also was set in 1978.

Mike Curtius completed 15 of 37 for 291 yards and three touchdowns for Santa Barbara (6-3).

Claremont 27, Whittier 22--Schon Branum gained 140 yards in 26 carries and scored on a 31-yard run to lead the Stags over the Poets in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game at Claremont.

Quarterback Brian O’Brien completed 15 of 22 for 210 yards and connected with Tim Bray on touchdown plays of 12 and four yards for Claremont (2-6, 2-3).

Doi Johnson, a 290-pound fullback, gained 41 yards in 12 carries and scored on touchdown runs of six yards and one yard for Whittier (0-8, 0-5).

La Verne 44, Pomona-Pitzer 7--Jeff Paschal completed 12 of 32 for 290 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Leopards (3-5, 2-3) over the Sagehens (3-4, 2-2) in an SCIAC game at La Verne.

Paschal connected on touchdown passes of four and 51 yards to Rod Zerbel and 62 yards to Chris Nance.

Nance, who gained 195 yards in 28 carries, also scored on a 36-yard run.