Cal Lutheran Snaps Losing Streak With 43-14 Rout

It’s all over for the Cal Lutheran football team.

The losing streak, anyway.

The Kingsmen played their most-complete game of the season on Saturday night, beating Azusa Pacific, 43-14, in a nonconference game.

Cal Lutheran (2-4) had lost four consecutive games since winning its opener.

“We needed a big win in a big way,” said defensive back Chad Valousky, who had three interceptions.

“It will help our egos a lot.”

The medicine for Cal Lutheran’s problems was NAIA Azusa, which dropped to 1-5.

“We finally got to see the other end of the spectrum,” Cal Lutheran Coach Joe Harper said.

Cal Lutheran scored early, often and unconventionally. The Kingsmen scored points on offense, defense and special teams. They even scored on a safety when Azusa, set to punt from its end zone, snapped the ball through the uprights.

Kingsmen tailback Terrence Thomas gained 158 yards in 27 carries. It was his second consecutive 100-yard performance and fourth of the season.

Cal Lutheran quarterback Ryan Huisenga completed 11 of 23 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Receiver Tom Herman caught three passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The defensive star for Cal Lutheran was Valousky, whose three interceptions included a 55-yard touchdown return.

The game was wild from the start. Azusa attempted a punt from its 24 on its first possession, but the snap eluded Carl Martinez and rolled into the end zone, where Cal Lutheran’s Johnny Davis fell on the ball for a touchdown.

Azusa tied the game on a one-yard run by Marcus Slaten on the Cougars’ next possession, but Cal Lutheran came right back with an 11-yard score by Thomas.

Less than 12 minutes into the game, the Kingsmen scored 14 points, which was a point more than they had managed in their past two games combined.

Cal Lutheran then pulled away with Valousky’s score on an interception return. Valousky has both of Cal Lutheran’s defensive touchdowns this season.

The Cougars then added the most unusual score of the first half. Quarterback Ben Focke’s pass hit the hands of Cal Lutheran defensive back James Mason and bounced into the hands of Jeff Atherton, who scored on the 58-yard play The score pulled Azusa within 21-14 with 6 minutes 23 seconds to play in the second quarter, but the Cougars could get no closer.

Cal Lutheran took a 35-14 halftime lead on pair of identical play-action passes.