Anthony Pomponio '09 provided 241 yards of total offense, but Whittier College lost 24-21 to the University of La Verne on Senior Night at Memorial Stadium November 1.  A blocked field goal in the final seconds ended a Poets' 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter as their record falls to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in SCIAC play.

La Verne got the scoring started on the third possession of the game.  They orchestrated a 15-play, 97-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Jacob Tobias.  It was the only score of the first quarter.

In the second frame, La Verne extended their lead to 14-0 with a two-yard run to pay dirt by quarterback Anthony Andre.  That came at the 14:11 mark of the second quarter, and neither team would score until the final minute of the first half.  That tally came on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Pete Mitchell '12 to Shawn Briggs '09 from 15 yards out.  That put the Poets within a touchdown and extra point as the first half came to a close.

The third quarter provided three turnovers and two punts combined for the two teams.  It wasn't until the 10:59 mark of the fourth quarter that La Verne extended their lead to 14 points once again.  Tobias scored his second touchdown of the game on a one-yard run to make the score 21-7.  On the ensuing Poets possession, Mitchell marched Whittier 49 yards down the field on nine plays and finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.  The extra point was blocked to keep the leopard lead at eight points.

La Verne responded with a 28-yard drive that resulted in a 32-yard field goal by Wesley Dean.  La Verne was up 24-13 with 3:17 left to play.  It took the Poets just 1:01 to march down the field and get within a field goal of tying the game.  Pomponio caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to make it 24-19.  The Poets were successful on the two-point conversion to make it 24-21 when Mitchell found Greg Sweeney '12 alone in the back of the end zone.

On the following kickoff, Mitchell came out on the field with the kicking team to attempt the onside kick.  He executed a perfect onside kick recovered by the Poets, however, Whittier was flagged for off sides on the play resulting in a five-yard penalty and a re-kick.  Mitchell teed it up again, and for the second time the Poets were able to recover, this time without a penalty.  Twelve plays and 54 yards later, the Poets were in position for a 26-yard field goal attempt with 17 seconds left in regulation.  The kick was blocked, giving the ball back to the Leopards.  They ran out the clock ensuring the 24-21 victory. 

Mitchell was stellar in his first significant time under center for the Poets.  He entered the game late in the first half and went 18-for-25 with 235 yards and two touchdowns.  The biggest factor from Mitchell was the lack of turnovers, something that had plagued the Poets in recent weeks.  He also ran for 26 yards and a touchdown.  Pomponio continued his impressive senior campaign with 164 yards on 29 carries.  He also caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.  Briggs also finished with seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Poets were led by Gio Salina '10 with ten tackles, including a sack.  Steffen Santos '09 finished with six tackles, one sack and an interception.  Stephen Dickers '12 also had an interception.

The Poets close out their schedule on the road for their final two games.  They take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on November 8 at 1:00pm and then battle to keep the shoes against Occidental College on November 15 at 1:00pm.