La Verne Falls Prey To #18 Bearcats
The University of La Verne football squad ventured north for a non-conference matchup against #18-ranked Willamette University and found a formidable group of hosts in the Bearcats.
Willamette looked every bit a nationally-ranked team, amassing a 52-0 halftime advantage en route to a 52-7 victory over the Leopards at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Oregon.
The Bearcats, who reached the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs a year ago, improved to 3-1 on the season while the Leopards dropped to 0-2.
La Verne got on the board in the fourth quarter as Leopard quarterback Anthony Andre culminated an eight-play, 62-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing score with 12:10 remaining in the contest to avoid the shutout.
Nearly everything went the Bearcats' way in the opening 30 minutes as they scored on each of their seven first-half possessions. Moreover, each of Willamette's drives began in Leopard territory. Additionally, Willamette was aided by three Leopard turnovers prior to intermission.
The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead on a 21-yard field goal by Mitchell Rowan with 10:50 remaining in the first quarter. Willamette got its next three scores in the end zone, as Bearcat wide receiver Chad Pollard scored twice on both a rushing and receiving touchdown while quarterback Kevin Ramay earned a rushing touchdown to provide the home team with a 24-0 cushion at the conclusion of the first quarter.
A third Pollard touchdown on a 14-yard rush put the Bearcats up 31-0 with 11:56 remaining in the second quarter. Willamette would add three more touchdowns - the last coming on a Jamiere Abney 25-yard run on the final play of the half.
Overall, the Bearcats collected 501 yards of total offense including 395 on the ground. Four of Willamette's seven scoring drives ended in four plays or less while none of the drives took more than eight plays.
The Leopards recorded 183 yards on total offense, with Andre leading the Leos through the air with 121 yards on 10-of-24 passing. Cedric Ho finished with 6 receptions for 90 yards, both of which were game-highs for the evening. On defense, linebacker Branamier Courtney tallied a game-high 11 tackles.
La Verne opens SCIAC play next Saturday as they take on #21 Redlands on the road for a 7 pm start.
Boxscore: Willamette 52, La Verne 7
