Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
LA VERNE, Calif. – The Whittier College football team owned every facet of Saturday's contest against La Verne except for the final score as they saw six crucial turnovers play a pivotal role in their 41-27 loss at Ortmayer Stadium.
After combining for 561 yards of total offense (478 Passing & 83 Rushing), while holding their opponents to a mere 254 yards (123 Passing & 131 Rushing) the Purple & Gold were unable to bounce back after turning the ball over six times, two which included interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Whittier tallied 10 unanswered points sparked by an 80 yard touchdown reception on the third play from scrimmage by Diante Jackson (Oakland, Calif.). This would be the lone points scored in the first quarter. In the second, Whittier would add a field goal from Alex Jungsten (Orange, Calif.) who knocked in a 48 yarder, which was a season high. But with 4:25 remaining before the half La Verne would respond. After blocking a 33 yard field goal attempt by Jungsten they would use a three play drive capped off with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Brian Duboski to Andres Fernandez to get on the board.
With 2:27 to play, La Verne got the ball back looking to add more points but on a 1st and 10 situation Josh Pride (Oakland, Calif.) intercepted an errant pass from Duboski down the sideline, which gave Whittier great field position to add to their lead. But in an attempt to pick up a first down within the red zone three plays later, junior quarterback TJ Jordan (Orcutt, Calif.) wound up throwing one of two interceptions on the day which was run back to the house giving the Leos a 14-10 lead at the break.
La Verne opened up the second half with an 11 play, 60 yard drive capped off with an 18 yard run by Duboski but on the Poets ensuing possession they would find the endzone themselves in just six plays, with Jordan finding Makale Ruiz-McCobb (Pomona, Calif.) that pulled the Poets within four.
After the Poet defensive unit forced a three and out, Whittier got the ball back on their 34 yard line, but on their first play Jordan was picked off by Matt Canlas, which he returned 40 yards for a score. The next series for the Poets ended in a 38 yard field goal by Jungsten, keeping Whittier in striking distance. After yet another three and out forced by the defense the Poets this time around would come down and find the back of the end zone with Jordan finding McCobb from 17 yards out that pulled WC within one 28-27.
But on the ensuing kickoff La Verne's Dallas Parent would wind up bouncing off three would be tacklers en route to scampering 96 yards that put LV up by eight. With 12:24 to play Whittier forced the Leos to punt after a strong defensive series but on the kick, freshman Cody Mucino (Henderson, NV) would be stripped at his own 14 yard line setting up a three yard touchdown run from Gustavo Viramontes that extended the Leopard lead to 19. Whittier saw the ball three more times in the 4th quarter but was unable to find the back of the end zone allowing La Verne to escape with the 41-27 Homecoming Victory.
Jordan finished 24-49 for 465 yards and three touchdowns, while Anthony Walker (San Diego, Calif.) rushed 28 times for 98 yards with a long being of 16. On the receiving end, Jackson hauled in eight receptions for a career high 203 yards and a score, Justin Vlahos (Bakersfield, Calif.) also hit the 100 yard plateau for the first time finishing with five receptions for 107 yards. Ruiz-McCobb totaled 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.) and Nick Alcantar (Northridge, Calif.) each recorded 12 tackles a piece and combined for three tackles for losses. Nathan Poole (San Diego, Calif.) collected six tackles and a fumble recovery, while Austin Brasher (El Segundo, Calif.) and Kyle Cook (La Mirada, Calif.) recorded sacks.
Whittier returns to action as they set their sights on Pomona-Pitzer this coming Saturday, October 19 during Homecoming weekend with kickoff set for 3:00pm.
