Leopards Downed By Loggers In Season Opener
The University of La Verne could not overcome a three-touchdown deficit to Puget Sound in the first half as the squad behind 21-0 by intermission en route to a 21-7 defeat to the Loggers Saturday in Tacoma, Washington, in the season opener for both teams.
The game marked the debut of first-year Leopard coach Andy Ankeny.
The Loggers (1-0) got on the scoreboard with 9:58 remaining in the first quarter when James Olcott scored from one yard out to cap an eight-play, 53-yard drive and Mike Griffith kicked the extra point to give the Loggers a 7-0 lead. On their first drive of the second quarter, Olcott scored from 16 yards but the extra point attempt by Griffith was blocked as the Loggers held the 13-0 lead.
UPS quarterback Spencer Crace connected with Stewart for a 50-yard touchdown with 2:10 remaining in the first half and the Loggers made it 21-0 on a strange point-after attempt. Griffith's kick was initially blocked by a La Verne defender but he was able to pick up the ball and pitch it to holder Brian Ames who ran the ball in on the left side for a successful two-point conversion.
La Verne (0-1) finally got on the board in the second half when Leopard quarterback Troy Doolittle found Michael Moreno from three yards out to put the Leopards on the board and cut the Logger lead to 14 points at 21-7.
Doolittle finished the game 21-of-33 through the air for 148 yards. Charles Lacy was the team's leading receiver with 56 yards while Chris Lara rushed for a team-high 40 yards.
ULV plays its home opener next Saturday as it entertains Whitworth College at Ortmayer Stadium. Kickoff is 1 pm.
