CLAREMONT, CA — The University of La Verne football team ended its long drought emphatically Saturday night, defeating Pomona-Pitzer 26–8 at Merritt Field to claim its first victory since 2023 and snap a 15-game losing streak.
The Leopards dominated the first half, building a 19–0 lead behind a balanced attack led by quarterback
Brian Rudden, who completed 25 of 34 passes for 292 yards, both season highs, and a touchdown. Junior receiver
Jimmy Rumsey was his top target, catching six passes for 115 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown strike in the first quarter that made it 9–0 after an earlier field goal by
Joshua Workizer.
Rumsey is closing in on two La Verne receiving records, total receiving yards (2,092, Maurice Harper, 1981–83) and pass receptions (Alex Arellano, 139, 2014-16). Rumsey's totals currently stand at 1,969 yards and 135 receptions.
Running back
Tyler McCown provided the finishing power on the ground, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns. His first score came midway through the second quarter on a five-yard run, capping a 14-play, 71-yard drive that ate up 8:35 and showcased La Verne's control of the line of scrimmage. McCown added a one-yard plunge early in the fourth quarter to push the Leopards' lead to 26–0.
La Verne's defense delivered a statement performance. The Leopards forced three interceptions—two by junior defensive back
Jomar Brown and one by defensive lineman
Ashton Smith—five three-and-outs, and limited Pomona-Pitzer to just 50 rushing yards. Smith also shared a sack with
JonLuke Vega, and blocked a punt, while linebacker
D'Artangion Martin led the team with eight tackles.
Brown's first pick of the game set up Workizer's field goal on the Leopards' second possession of the game. He snagged another ball in the final seconds of the first half to preserve a 19-0 lead at the break. Smith intercepted the Sagehens on their final possession of the game to put a stamp on the Leopards' win. Brown finished the game with four tackles.
Workizer hit both of his field goals (24 and 32 yards) and converted two extra points. He also handled punting and kickoff duties, averaging 37 yards per punt and booting one touchback.
Chase Yanez finished with six tackles.
Trevon Kenney and
Jonathan Scott each recorded three solo tackles.
The Sagehens avoided the shutout with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Nick Kim to Jack Sobota, followed by a two-point conversion, but La Verne's defense held firm in the final minutes, sealing the program's first win in nearly two years.
The Leopards outgained Pomona-Pitzer 378–242 and controlled the clock for an astounding 42:59 of possession time.
La Verne will look to build on its momentum when it returns home next week against Redlands. Kickoff against the Bulldogs is set for Saturday, November 1, at 1 p.m.
