La Verne Dominates Whittier on Homecoming

More news about: La Verne

LA VERNE, CA — Martaveous Holliday made the end zone his home and the University of La Verne football team rolled on their way to a 50-30 win on homecoming over the Whittier College Poets.

Season Impact

The Leopards improve to 3-3 overall and more importantly move to 2-1 in SCIAC play. The Poets fall to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference action.

Offensive Standouts

Holliday could not be stopped. The senior finished with four touchdowns and 296 all-purpose yards including 96 on the ground. Holliday broke loose early in the first quarter when he motioned to the sideline, caught a pass in the flat, and broke a tackle on the way to a 52-yard touchdown reception for the first score of the game.

The Gardena native's biggest rush of the game came with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when he scampered for 49 yards untouched into the end zone for his third rushing touchdown of the game. Holliday added a touchdown run of nine yards in the second quarter and another of two yards in the third quarter. 

Sam Taylor added the best rushing performances of his career. The quarterback finished with a career and game-high 111 rushing yards with an average of 12.3 yards per carry and one touchdown. Taylor set up that score with the longest rush of the game when he called his own number and dashed for 50 yards along the way.

The Leopards finished with 334 rushing yards.

James Gonsalves finished with 56 yards on the ground and a score. Keishawn Robinson added the first touchdown of his Leopard career late in the game.

Defensive lineman Khary Sanders got in on the action, scoring a two-point conversion after the Leopards' opening score.

The Leopards scored touchdowns on three of their first five offensive possessions. 

Diego Garcia converted all six of his extra-point attempts.

Miguel Avina led the Poets with 367 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Defensive Standouts

Robert Franklin led La Verne's defensive unit. The safety registered eight tackles and put the game on ice when he picked off Daniel Garlick's pass on Whittier's final drive of the game.

Inside linebackers, Conner Johnson and Preston Carr anchored the Leopards as always. Johnson totaled a team-high 10 tackles with one tackle for a loss. Carr added nine tackles with a sack and forced a fumble.

Freshman Mason Montanez had a breakout game for La Verne. The freshman finished with eight tackles and two breakups, both career-highs.

Brandon Aragon and Mikey Bloomfield each added a tackle for a loss.

Next Game

The Leopards have a big challenge next week when they travel to Redlands. Kickoff against the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m.

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