La Verne Opens 2008 Campaign On The Road At Whitworth
Returning All-SCIAC Linebackers Jason Carpenter (L) and Branamier Courtney
The University of La Verne football team will open the 2008 campaign in the Pacific Northwest as the Leopards take on Whitworth University Saturday at the Pine Bowl in Tacoma, Washington. Whitworth is the two-time defending champion of the Northwest Conference and is coming off an 8-2 record.
La Verne returns 14 starters from last season with designs on improving on the 1-8 record from a year ago. On defense, the Leopards are anchored by senior linebackers Jason Carpenter and Branamier Courtney who are among seven returning starters from last season. Both Carpenter and Courtney were named Second Team All-SCIAC a year ago. The Leopards return five starters on offense. Head coach Andy Ankeny brought in a large recruiting class that has infused the roster with added talent and depth on both sides of the ball.
Whitworth leads the series 4-0 after last year's game in La Verne. Saturday's game marks La Verne's third trip to the Pine Bowl where the Pirates defeated the Leopards 37-16 in 2006 and 43-28 in 2005.
The game will kick off at Noon.
