Football hosts Sagehens on Homecoming

The University of La Verne football team hosts the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens on homecoming Saturday.

The Details

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

Stadium: Ortmayer Stadium, La Verne, Calif.

La Verne (0-3, 0-1 SCIAC); Complete Schedule | Roster | Stats 

Pomona-Pitzer (1-2, 0-1 SCIAC); Complete Schedule | Roster | Stats 

The Match-Up

Both teams are coming off close losses in their SCIAC openers and need a win to get back on track in the conference race. The Sagehens dropped a close 15-13 home game to Redlands their last time out, a game where Pomona-Pitzer failed to convert on three field goal attempts. The Leopards had some bright spots in their SCIAC opener at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps but were hindered by untimely penalties and a late turnover.

The key match-up will be between the Leopards' secondary and the Sagehens' air attack. La Verne is currently giving up 293.3 yards per game through the air with Pomona-Pitzer racking over 270 passing yards per game. Andrew Camargo and La Verne's defensive backs will need to play shut down coverage. 

Last Season

La Verne was edged in a close game at Merritt field last year, 28-21.

Recent Series

The Sagehens hold a slight 3-2 edge over La Verne in the recent series between the squads, but these games have been close. The largest margin of victory between the neighbors in the last five contests was a 31-23 win by Pomona-Pitzer in 2013.

Who to Watch

The Leopards ran the ball by committee in their last game so it's difficult to say who'll have the biggest impact out of the backfield. Quarterback Josh Evans led the Leopards with 12 carries last game with James Gonsalves racking up 99 rushing yards. Freshman Elijah Washington got the most action of his young Leopard career, finishing with seven rushes against the Stags. Amir Bishop emerged as a big-play threat against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, totaling 110 receiving yards and a touchdown in just two receptions. Bishop and the Leopards' slew of receivers will need to keep the Sagehens' secondary honest if La Verne has any hopes of opening up space for its rushing attack.

Defensively, Raymond Moronez will need to have another solid game. The former Charter Oak Charger led La Verne with 12 tackles and two pass breaks against the Stags. Austin Brown as always will anchor La Verne's front seven. The defensive end is currently tied for first in the SCIAC with three sacks.

Pomona-Pitzer will be led by veteran quarterback Edward Sias and former SCIAC Newcomer of the Year Karter Odermann. Sias is a three-year starter for the Sagehens who has thrown for seven touchdowns and 682 yards this year. Odermann will be all over the place for the Sagehens. The junior has lined up at quarterback, receiver, and running back for the Sagehens. If Pomona-Pitzer needs a big play, he is their go-to man.

What's at Stake

The Leopards are expecting a big crowd to show up for homecoming and want to put on a good show for the Leo faithful.

The Sagehens need a SCIAC win and look to gain momentum before heading to Cal Lutheran next week.

How to Follow

Tomorrow's game will be broadcast by LVTV on leopardathletics.com. Follow the game with the link below:

Live Video Feed| Live Statistics

Ticket Prices

$10 Adults | $7 Senior Citizens | Children under 12: Free | LV Students: Free w/ID | Military and LVAA Members: Free |Programs: $1

New Entrance

In addition to the normal Ortmayer Stadium main entrance, fans will be able to enter through the southeast entrance of the stadium near the parking structure. La Verne fans using comped tickets will need to enter at the main entrance at the northwest end of the stadium. Pomona-Pitzer fans using comped tickets will need to enter at the southeast entrance.