Pirates Use Late Surge To Top La Verne
Running back Erek Brown eludes Whitworth defenders in first half action (Kelly Rivas photo)
Whitworth University broke open a tight contest with two fourth quarter touchdowns, including a 35-yard interception return by Cailen Thomason with 2:53 remaining to seal a 21-9 victory over the University of La Verne in the Leopards' season opener Saturday at Ortmayer Stadium.
La Verne (0-1) was held scoreless until the fourth quarter, but got on the board on a 34-yard Mike Castenada field goal with 14:17 remaining in the game to cap an 8-play, 39-yard drive to pull within four points at 7-3.
The Leopards were thwarted by a pair of Pirate interceptions in the final period, the first coming on a theft by defensive back Cameron Stroyan to the Leopard 39-yard line with 7:57 remaining. Nine plays later, running back Sean Scott scored from 3 yards out to give the Pirates a 14-3 lead.
On the Leopards' ensuing possession, Thomason picked off a Leopard pass and raced 35 yards for the score to give Whitworth a 21-3 advantage with 2:53 remaining.
La Verne reached the end zone in the final minute of action as quarterback Christian Winnewisser connected with Erek Brown on a 16-yard scoring play with 56 seconds left to cap a 5-play, 66-yard drive.
The two teams played the first quarter to a stalemate. Whitworth threatened late in the first period when it drove 78 yards on the Leopard 1-yard line setting up a fourth-and-goal. The Leopard defense would keep the Pirates out of the end zone as it stopped running back Milton Nelson for no gain to keep the scoreless through the opening 15 minutes.
Whitworth eventually earned the game's initial score on the opening play of the second stanza as quarterback Andrew Durant found Kyle Scroggins for a 15 yard touchdown pass to put the visitors up 7-0.
Whitworth (1-1) was without the services of leading rusher Adam Anderson, the 2007 and 2008 Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year. The Pirates still managed 147 yards rushing on the day led by Scott who tallied a game-high 88 yards on 24 carries. Durant completed 12 of 18 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and interception.
The Leopards amassed 322 yards on offense, finishing with 243 through the air. Anthony Andre totaled 132 yards on 10 of 21 passing while Winnewisser completed 8 of 14 attempts for 111 yards. Leopard receiver Cedric Ho hauled in 9 passes for a game-high 132 yards. On defense, Jorge Villagomez totaled 8 total tackles for the Leos including 1 sack while linebacker Branamier Courtney finished with 7 total tackles.
The two teams combined for 7 turnovers on the day with the Leopards committing 4 miscues on three interceptions and one fumble. The Pirates lost a pair of fumbles along with one interception. The Leopards also suffered 11 penalties for 81 yards.
La Verne has next weekend off before resuming action on Sept. 26 at Willamette University. Whitworth returns home next week to face the University of Redlands.
