ORANGE, CA — The University of La Verne Leopards battled against the reigning SCIAC Champion Chapman Panthers before ultimately falling, 35-10
Fresh off a career-best performance, Tyler McCown led the ground game with 86 yards on 22 carries, including a long of 27 yards. Brian Rudden provided a spark with 40 yards on his four carries, while also scoring the team's lone rushing touchdown. Rudden's 30-yard run was the longest rush of the game. The Leopards' rushing attack totaled 127 yards on 35 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per rush in a hard-fought game.
After allowing a first-quarter touchdown, the La Verne offense came alive in the second period. It was the Rudden show to get the first points of the game. The senior quarterback rushed for 10 yards and then followed it with a 30-yard house call for his first rushing touchdown of the year. After forcing a turnover on downs thanks to a pass breakup from Jomar Brown, the offense once again found success on the ground with McCown. The running back's name was called four times on the drive as he helped get the Leopards into field goal range before Jacob Cuevas banged home a 27-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.
Chapman executed a two-minute drill for seven points before halftime, and at the break they held a 14-10 lead. The Leopard offense stifled in the second half, while the Panthers scored two touchdowns in the third, and another in the fourth to close out the win.
La Verne finished with 93 passing yards on 12 completions, completing 50 percent of their 24 attempts. Rudden completed 10 of 17 passes for 55 yards, with a long completion of 14 yards. Jordan Hernandez added 38 yards on 2 of 7 attempts, including a 31-yard completion.
McCown led the receiving corps with three catches for a career-high 45 yards, including a team-best 31-yard reception, showing his versatility. Noah Allen also hauled in three passes, finishing with 22 yards, while Jaden Beals added two catches for 18.
The defense had multiple players contributing tackles throughout the game. Brooklyn Pasten and Chase Yanez were among the team's leading tacklers, recording eight and six, respectively, with Yanez recovering a fumble. Devin Martin added six tackles with a tackle for loss, while Dalton Tagaloa finished with five takedowns. Justin Mondini contributed four stops and a pass breakup, and Dylan Reiner added four knockdowns, including one for a loss of 10 yards.
Cuevas continued his stellar season with another perfect outing. The Leopard placekicker connected for a 27-yard field goal and converted his lone extra point attempt. Cuevas has been a reliable presence for La Verne this season, remaining perfect on all five field-goal attempts and 10 PATs.
The Leopards move to 2-1 on the season and will take on Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, October 3, in Claremont. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
