TACOMA, Wash. - In a heart-pounding Week 3 showdown, the University of La Verne Leopards clashed with the University of Puget Sound Loggers (UPS) at the raucous Baker Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. This thriller of a game had football fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing pure gridiron intensity.

It was the second time this season that the Leopards faced off against a Northwest Conference (NWC) opponent, and they kicked things off in style. The 1st quarter saw ULV strike first, with Nick Garcia launching a 40-yard bomb to Jimmy Rumsey for a touchdown, and Max Jimenez's extra point was right on the money. That put ULV ahead at 7-0.

But the Loggers weren't about to be outdone. Matai Suitonu came up big for UPS, intercepting a screen pass by ULV's Garcia and blazing a jaw-dropping 78-yard path to the end zone. Jordi De La Torre's extra point leveled the score at 7-7. UPS kept the momentum flowing as Mason Binning found Izaiah Jerenz for a hard-fought 2-yard touchdown pass. De La Torre's kick was true, extending UPS's lead to 14-7. The defenses locked things down, and the score remained frozen until halftime, with both teams scrapping it out and no further points scored in the final 4:39 of the half.

The 3rd quarter saw ULV make their move, unleashing a well-rounded attack through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Andre Maldonado bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 1-yard rush after a pivotal 4th & 1 conversion from the 2-yard line. Jimenez's extra point squared things up at 14-14. Maldonado's second 1-yard plunge handed ULV a 20-14 advantage.

Then came a game-changing moment as the ULV defense made a pivotal play. Late in the game, the tide shifted when UPS's Jeremy Sawyer rushed for a 3-yard gain but coughed up the ball, courtesy of Chase Yanez's relentless pursuit. Oscar Montenegro pounced on the loose ball at the ULV 37, and with a 20-yard return to the UPS 43-yard line, the stage was set for ULV.

The ULV offense capitalized on this opportunity, stringing together a solid 5-play drive, culminating in a 1-yard run by Maldonado. However, the extra point attempt went awry, leaving the score at 20-14 ULV as the 3rd quarter wound down.

But the Loggers weren't ready to call it a day. Early in the 4th quarter, they marched down the field, and Mason Binning found UPS's Izaiah Jerenz from 25 yards out, making it 20-21 UPS at the 14:47 mark. That's when Garcia and the ULV offense came alive, mounting a determined drive that ended with a 4-yard scamper by Treyvion Davies, putting the Leopards ahead 26-21. ULV's 2-point conversion attempt was stoutly denied by UPS's unyielding defense.

With the clock ticking and the Loggers still in contention, they advanced deep into Leopards territory, getting as close as the ULV 7-yard line. But ULV had a trump card up their sleeve. Hector Facio, a sophomore cornerback, made a game-sealing interception in the end zone for a touchback, with just 6:40 left on the clock.

ULV took control from their own 20-yard line after Facio's clutch interception and never relinquished the ball back to the Loggers. Needing to convert on two different 3rd-down plays, one a crucial 3rd and 9 backed up on their own 33-yard line, Nicholas Garcia connected with TE Julian Martinez for a massive 39-yard gain. Following that pivotal play, Maldonado pulled off another 3rd-down conversion with a 4-yard rush up the middle, taking ULV to the UPS 15-yard line. The Leopards only needed to kneel on the ball to secure the victory, and the final score stood fast at 26-21 Leopards.

This game showcased a stellar defensive performance by ULV, with the unit tallying 3 tackles for loss (TFLs), 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 8 pass breakups. They held UPS to a 4-of-13 conversion rate on 3rd downs and limited their rushing game to just 68 total yards. Defensive leaders included Oscar Montenegro, who recorded 11 total tackles and recovered a fumble with a 20-yard return, De' Lante Moore with 6 total tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 pass breakup, and 1 interception, and Chase Yanez with 6 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 3 pass breakups.

This Week 3 contest provided an electrifying showcase of tenacity and determination, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. You can catch your Leopard football team playing back in southern California next Saturday, September 23^rd in Claremont, Calif. when they take on Pomona Pitzer at 7pm.