WHITTIER, Calif. — The University of La Verne football team could not overcome six turnovers as it lost to Whittier, 36-17, on Saturday evening at Memorial Field.

La Verne got on the board first after stopping the Poets on their first two possessions. The Leopards got a favorable field position after a kick catching interference and Travis Sparks got La Verne to Whittier's 24-yard line with solid runs. Quarterback William Livingston took over from there and connected with Alex Villalobos to give the Leopards a 7-0 lead.

Then the Leopards got sloppy, turning the ball over on three of their next five possessions. La Verne did do an excellent job limiting the damage of the turnovers to just field goals and stayed within striking distance deep into the third quarter.

But after August Buoncuore got the Leopards within 12-10 with a 41-yard field goal, Whittier offense came alive. On the ensuing possession after the field goal, Whittier running back Marcell Blow broke for a 74-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and the Poets went on to score 17 more unanswered points to take control of the game.

Blow finished with 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Travis Sparks did a good job moving the chains for the Leopards. The junior finished with 108 yards on the ground on 14 carries and added two receptions for eight yards.

Tight end Bryan Okereke led the receiving corps with 93 yards on four receptions.

Blayr Stone led the team with nine total tackles and Nik Gutierrez recorded 1.5 sacks.

La Verne will host Redlands for Homecoming at Ortmayer Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.