TACOMA, WA — James Gonsalves broke the century mark for the second week in a row and the University of La Verne football team look poised to pick up a win in their first road game of the season.
But Puget Sound took the lead as the clock hit zero in the second quarter and the Loggers held on for a 28-24 win.
Gonsalves rushed for 128 yards on 22 careers, picking up 5.8 yards per attempt. The senior scored his third touchdown of the season on a 23-yard scamper to open the second quarter. Gonsalves leads the SCIAC with 95.3 rushing yards per game.
Quarterback Matthew Albright rushed for a pair of scores for the Leopards, the first on a 21-yard breakaway with 3:01 left in the opening quarter. He scored his second touchdown late in the third quarter on a 13-yard run to cut the Loggers' lead to four points.
Torii Hilbert had another big game defensively racking up a career-high six breakups in the game. The cornerback also recorded a takeaway for the second week in a row, this time when he stripped Duncan Varela early in the second quarter, recovered the ball, and ran 56 yards to the Puget Sound 24-yard line.
Preston Carr led the Leopards with 12 tackles including one for a loss. The senior, who leads the SCIAC with 34 total tackles and ranks second with 11.3 tackle per game, forced a fumble early in the second quarter.
Derek Shay finished with one sack for the Leopards. Khary Sanders and Eric Wilson combined for a sack. Conner Johnson finished with eight tackles and one tackle for a loss.
Diego Garcia made all three of his extra-point attempts and also converted a 27-yard field goal.
The Loggers were led by quarterback Murdock Rutledge's 354 passing yards and four touchdowns and AJ Johnson's 167 receiving yards.
With the Leopards leading 17-14 and time running out in the second quarter it looked like La Verne would go into the break with a slim lead. But the Loggers scored on a 22-yard connection from Rutledge to Johnson to take the lead for good.
Puget Sound extended their lead in the third quarter on a 13-yard touchdown reception by Colli Heimbach.
After Albright's touchdown cut the deficit to 28-24, the Leopards had one final opportunity to take the lead late in the game. But the Leopards' 11-play drive was stopped in the Loggers' red zone when Michael Zabran picked off a pass at Puget Sound's 12-yard line.
Season Impact
The Leopards end their nonconference slate of games 1-2. Puget Sound improves to 2-1 overall.
Next Game
La Verne has a bye next Saturday and opens SCIAC play on October 5 when they host the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags at 7 p.m.
Watch Live Follow ULV Athletics on Twitter Like us on Facebook Watch on Youtube Follow us on Instagram