SALEM, OR — The University of La Verne football team battled in double overtime at Willamette to start the 2024 season. 

But a 35-yard field goal by the Bearcats made the difference, handing La Verne a 27-24 loss in the opener.

Overtime

The Leopards got the first crack on offense in the extra period but started at the 40-yard line instead of the 25 due to a penalty on the final play of regulation. La Verne gained 15 yards on the drive and brought in Jayson Lopez to attempt a career-long 45-yard field goal. The kick was on target but fell short. 

The Bearcats settled for a 25 yard-field goal attempt with their first possession of overtime but the kick sailed wide left. But the Willamette defense made a big play their next time out, picking off Rudden on second down and setting up the game-winning kick.

Top Performers

La Verne quarterback Brian Rudden had a career day to start his sophomore season. The Chula Vista native threw for a career-high 370 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. 

Monterey Peninsula College transfer Isaiah McNaught-Thornton led the Leopards with 108 receiving yards on four receptions. He tied the game up late in the second quarter when he ran past the Willamette secondary on a go route for an easy score. Makena Ramos-Kamaka hauled in seven catches for 100 yards. He set up McNaught-Thornton's score earlier in the drive, grabbing a pass over the middle on a dig route and making defenders miss as he entered Willamette territory on a 24-yard reception.

Jimmy Rumsey finished with four catches for 66 yards and scored the first touchdown of the Leopards' season on an eight-yard reception in the second quarter. Adrian Vargas added a touchdown reception and 48 yards receiving.

Chase Yanez led the Leopards with 11 tackles, one interception, and half a tackle for loss. De Lante' Moore and Joshe Herndez finished with eight tackles and one tackle for loss. Devin Martin finished with one sack and six tackles.

Closing Minutes

The Leopards took a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter with under seven minutes remaining. Rudden set up the score when he connected on a 28-yard pass to McNaught-Thorton down the sideline. Two plays later Rudden found Vargas open on an out route who scampered into the end zone untouched. 

La Verne's defense came up big on Willamette's next possession. On fourth and two on the Leopards' 36-yard line, the Bearcats' running back Gabriel Herrera ran up the middle but Martin made the initial hit to stuff the play, and Yanez and Anthony Villalobos brought the runner down for a one-yard loss. 

The Leopards regained possession with 1:52 but were forced to punt, giving the Bearcats back the ball with 1:35 remaining. Willamette quarterback Alex Rivera IV completed a 33-yard pass to Vincent Zepeda to give the Bearcats a first down at the five-yard line. The Leopards kept the Bearcats out of the endzone but a 36-yard field goal evened the game to set up overtime.

Notes

Lopez made a 22-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give La Verne a 17-14 lead at the half.

The Leopards came away with points on each trip to the red zone.

Next Game

The Leopards have a bye week and will play their home opener on Saturday, September 21 at 7 p.m. against their second-straight Northwest Conference opponent the University of Puget Sound.