New Partnership With Sheraton

A new era of University of La Verne football officially begins Saturday as the Leopards open the 2007 season on the road against the University of Puget Sound at Baker Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. Kickoff is 1 pm.

It will be the opening game for first-year coach Andy Ankeny, who is just the fourth head football coach at ULV since 1948.

ULV looks to improve upon a 3-6 record a year ago that included a 3-3 finish in the SCIAC. Last season, the Loggers finished with a 7-3 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the Northwest Conference. The two teams have split the last two contests. Puget Sound topped the Leopards 28-21 a year ago with ULV defeating the Loggers 38-14 in 2005.

On offense, the Loggers will have to find a way to replace All-NWC running back Rory Lee, who graduated last season after setting seven new school records. Leading that charge will be junior quarterback Kavin Williams. Last season, Williams connected on 60 passes for 824 yards and eight touchdowns and also ran for 615 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, the Loggers will have to replace five All-NWC selections from a year ago. On the defensive line, the Loggers return veterans Jake Parks, David Mensonides and AJ Middleton.

The Leopards return an experienced trio of skill position players on offense in quarterback Troy Doolittle, running back Chris Handy and wide receiver Michael Moreno. Doolittle passed for 2,000 yards and completed nearly 60% of his passes a year ago. Handy was the team’s feature back and led the team in rushing the last six games of 2006. Moreno earned First Team All-SCIAC honors after leading the Leopards in receptions, yards and touchdowns last season.

On defense, La Verne should receive strong contributions from defensive linemen Greg DeLong along with linebackers Jason Carpenter and Branamier Courtney. ULV also returns veteran Grant Woods at the cornerback spot.

La Verne opens its home portion of the schedule the following week against fellow NWC member Whitworth College on Sept. 15.