PASADENA — Linebacker Matt Canlas of the University of La Verne football team was named the SCIAC Male Athlete of the Week of Nov. 2-8 as voted by the conference's sports information directors. He shares the recognition with Sergio Valencia of the Redlands men's soccer team.

Canlas had eight tackles, including one for loss, a pass breakup and a pick-six as La Verne clinched at least a share of the 2015 SCIAC Football Championship and the SCIAC's automatic berth the NCAA National Championship with a 49-35 win over Pomona-Pitzer.

The Leopards jumped out to a four-touchdown lead to start the game and Canlas' touchdown early in the second quarter put the game out of reach for the Sagehens.

It is La Verne's first SCIAC championship since 1995 and its first NCAA National Championship appearance since 1994.

The Leopards return to action on Saturday against Cal Lutheran for a chance to win the SCIAC outright.