THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The California Lutheran University football team begins its Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship run on Saturday as the Kingsmen host the La Verne Leopard at 7 p.m.

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All spectators are required to complete a daily health check prior to entering the stadium. Click here to fill out the form. Masks are strongly recommended. Cal Lutheran also asks that no spectators come on the field after the conclusion of the game. This includes family and friends.

The Kingsmen have their best start since 2015, going 3-0 against their non-conference competition. The Purple and Gold had their first two contests at home, taking down Southwestern (Texas) 37-7 and then Pacific Lutheran 42-28.

Cal Lutheran faced its first adversity of the season in the third game, traveling to Puget Sound (Wash.). Down 21-3 with 9 minutes to play, the Kingsmen scored 22 consecutive points and stole the game from the Loggers.

First-year head coach Anthony Lugo has the Kingsmen firing on all cylinders and in a great position to start conference play. The Leopards make their way to William Rolland Stadium on Saturday with a record of 1-2. The Kingsmen hold the head-to-head record at 33-13-1.

The team is led by junior quarterback Nick Lasher and he has impressed in his first three games. With a throwing percentage of 62.8, Lasher has seven touchdowns to just one interception. He has thrown for a total of 797 yards with 265.7 yards per game.

Senior Jackson Taylor is the lead-back with junior Reid Huseman as the fullback. Taylor has found the end zone four times and rushed for 171 yards on 50 carries. Huseman is also over the century mark with 109 yards and one score with 29 attempts.

Junior wide receiver Cameron Jones has been a scoring machine for the Purple and Gold. He has caught 11 passes with a mind-blowing five being for touchdowns. His play has been highlighted by a three-score game against PLU. He has hit the century mark in two of those games and has an astounding 24.3 yards per catch.

Senior linebacker Connor McDermott has been a force with a team-high 24 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss. Senior defensive back Zion Brown is next with 18 tackles and seniors Caleb Casimere and Hector Palacios are next with 15. Palacios leads the defense with two sacks, for a loss of 22 yards, and Brown has added one more.

The defensive has accounted for four sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The Kingsmen have forced two interceptions and recovered three fumbles.

This Cal Lutheran group is poised and ready. The Kingsmen have their sights set on greatness and bring passion. With a win on Saturday, the Kingsmen would have their best start since 4-0 in 2006.

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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director