LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne football team battled the University of Puget Sound at Ortmayer Stadium in a double overtime thriller in its 2024 home opener.

The Leopards fought hard in a shootout but couldn't find the end zone in the second overtime period, falling to the Loggers 49-41.

Second-year receiver Jimmy Rumsey led the Leopards with 144 receiving yards off six catches and a career-high three touchdowns. His three-touchdown performance tied his touchdown total from all of last season.

Overtime

La Verne headed to double overtime in back-to-back games. The Leopards had possession to start the first extra period but couldn't get much going, and called in kicker Jayson Lopez to attempt a 36-yard field goal. The sophomore drilled it to put the Leopards up 41-38.

The Loggers drove to the La Verne three-yard line but the Leopards tightened up. La Verne held Puget Sound to a one-yard rush on second down and no gain on third down, forcing the Loggers to take the game-tying field goal.

In double overtime, the Loggers needed just two plays to find the end zone and converted the two-point attempt to take a 49-41 advantage. The Leopards came out firing on their turn. Quarterback Brian Rudden connected with Rumsey for 15 yards to get to the Puget Sound 10-yard line. After a loss of six and two incompletions, the Leopards faced fourth and must score. Rudden tried to connect with Rumsey over the middle, but the pass was just out of reach.

Offensive Standouts 

Rumsey made the play of the night in the third quarter. On second and 14 from the UPS 14, Rudden lofted a pass over the middle, Rumsey turned, threw one hand in the air as he fell backward, and snagged the pass to give the Leopards a 23-17 lead. 

Later in the quarter, Rumsey added his second score of the night, on a 33-yard reception down the seam to put La Verne up 30-24.
   
Running Back Arthur McCown had a career-high day to add to his freshman campaign. The Anaheim native ran for a career-high 110 yards on just 11 carries. His explosiveness and hard-nosed running helped the Leopards establish the run game early. After his 37-yard carry on La Verne's first offensive play was negated due to a penalty, McCown answered on the next snap with a 66-yard rush.

Rudden threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Isaiah McNaught-Thornton for 46 yards to open the second quarter. The play set up a Lopez 32-yard field goal to end the drive. Lopez was a perfect 5-5 on PAT attempts and 2-2 on field goals. McNaught-Thornton finished with three receptions for 88 yards. 

Elijah Duckworth ran for 49 yards. Darius Strickland capped off the Leopards' opening drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown.

Puget Sound was led by Henry Hernandez's 204 rushing yards, Joe Gallagher's 146 receiving yards, Issac Tran's 115 receiving yards, and Mason Binning's 325 passing yards.

Defensive Standouts

The Leopards' defense set the tone early. On Puget Sound's opening drive on the La Verne 47-yard line, Vicente Zepeda penetrated untouched into the Loggers' backfield, disrupted the exchange between the quarterback and running back, and knocked the ball loose. De Lante' Moore scooped up the ball and scampered 52 yards for the first score at Ortmayer this season. The duo of Moore and Zepeda anchored La Verne's defense. Zepeda forced two fumbles, broke up one pass, and recorded a career-high 14 tackles with two for losses. Moore totaled a career-best 14 tackles and added a quarterback hurry.

Devin Martin finished with eight tackles and two for losses. Jomar Brown finished with eight tackles, Chase Yanez added seven, with a tackle for a loss, and Christopher Long II finished with seven tackles. 

Closing Minutes

Trailing 38-31 with 2:47 left to play, the Leopards had to drive 75 yards for a chance to even the score. On second down, Rudden was forced out of the pocket and scrambled to his left when he hurled the ball downfield to McNaught-Thornton. The receiver leaped and snapped the ball over the defensive back's head for a 34-yard reception to set up the Leopards in Puget Sound territory.

Two plays later, Rumsey raced down the sideline and beat his one-on-one match-up. Rudden dropped the ball in for a 31-yard touchdown and Rumsey's third score of the game. Lopez's extra point tied the game up at 38-38 late with 1:22 left to play.

La Verne's defense came up big on Puget Sound's next possession. Zepeda broke up a pass that would have put the Loggers in La Verne territory. On the next play, a Puget Sound offensive lineman committed an unnecessary roughness, 15-yard penalty, and the Loggers elected to play for overtime.

Notes

The Leopards and Loggers combined for 968 total yards and just four punts.

Next Game

The Leopards will host Pomona Pitzer for their first SCIAC game at Ortmayer Stadium on Saturday, September 29, at 1 pm.