LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne Leopards battled in their homecoming game on Saturday afternoon, before losing 33-14 to Cal Lutheran.
After giving up three straight scores and falling behind 16-0, the Leopards responded with a flurry of offense. The game plan was for senior QB Brian Rudden to get the ball out quickly, and that proved to be successful early. The first scoring drive went eight plays over 5 minutes with multiple chunk plays to different receivers. Lorenzo Bracamonte, Tyson Walter, and Jimmy Rumsey were the main targets, before Rumsey snagged a 10-yard touchdown grab in the back of the endzone.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, the offense went back to work in similar fashion. After methodically moving the ball down the field, the Leopards executed a perfect end-around play to Walter for the score, and went into halftime down two points.
Despite taking this momentum into the locker room, La Verne went scoreless through the final two quarters, and the Kingsmen iced the game with a two-touchdown fourth.
Rudden led the Leopards through the air, throwing for 154 yards and a touchdown while completing 18 passes. Walter and Bracamonte led the receiving corps with seven catches apiece, recording 75 and 51 yards, respectively. Rumsey added three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown, providing a scoring spark for the La Verne offense. McCown also contributed three receptions for 40 yards.
McCown led the Leopards on the ground, rushing nine times for 35 yards with a long of 12. Hernandez added 10 yards on three carries, while Walter found the end zone on his lone rushing attempt.
On defense, Roger Price III led the La Verne defense with 10 total tackles, including four solo stops and one tackle for loss. Joseph Kassisieh followed with eight tackles, while Kaleb Harrison, Brooklyn Pasten, and Anthony Laurean each recorded seven. Laurean added a tackle for loss, and Jomar Brown came up with an interception. Justin Mondini, Trevon Kenney, and Landon Nuusa each contributed a pass breakup as the Leopards spread the defensive production across the field.
The Leopards fall to 2-5 on the year after starting 2-0 and will look to regroup before taking on Azusa Pacific on the road this Saturday, October 31st at 6 P.M.
