THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — California Lutheran University football moved to 4-0 for the first time since 2006 as they opened conference play with a big 35-14 win over the La Verne Leopard on Saturday night. 

The Kingsmen have a shot at 5-0, as they continue conference play next Saturday. The last time Cal Lutheran football went 5-0 was 1982, during their NAIA days. 

It was an interesting day from La Verne as the Leopards never punted and tried for two onside kicks. The Cal Lutheran defense was magnificent, forcing La Verne into 15 third downs. The Purple and Gold held them to just 4-of-15, while moving the ball very well and going 5-of-9. 

Connor McDermott led the way for the defense with 14 tackles, seven solo and seven assisted. Randal Voutt was next with 10 tackles, Gabriel Hernandez added eight more and Zion Brown and JD Lang both had seven. 

The defense rolled through La Verne, tallying 10 tackles for loss, including four sacks. Caleb Casimere was everywhere totaling three tackles for loss, including two sacks. McDermott and Justice Forbes each recorded a sack. 

Pete Mitchell made maybe the most athletic play of the game as he did a 180 turn to pick-off the La Verne quarterback and then ran the ball back 29 yards into La Verne territory. 

The Kingsmen were balanced on the offensive side and put up an impressive 6.7 yards per play. Nick Lasher continued with his efficient play going 11-for-20, throwing two touchdowns.

Two of those passes went to Cameron Jones, one for a touchdown. He has caught a touchdown pass in every game and has six for the year. Julio Angel caught the other touchdown pass, his first of the year. 
 
The running game featured Jackson Taylor with most of the touches. He rushed for 96 yards and one score, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

The Kingsmen backfield continued to be busy. Reid Huseman and Isaiah Martin both accounted for a rushing touchdown. 

La Verne shocked the Kingsmen and started the game with an onside kick. After illegal touching, the Kingsmen had the ball at La Verne's 46. The Kingsmen went straight down the field and Taylor capped it off with a 13-yard touchdown run. 

Both teams scored in the second quarter. La Verne tied it up with 9:33 left. They kicked another onside kick and recovered. The Cal Lutheran defense stepped up and forced a fourth down, and made the stop, to end the drive. 

The Kingsmen took the lead before the end of the half as they completed a 75-yard drive. Lasher found Angel for six yards and the score. 

Cal Lutheran opened the third quarter scoring on their first two drives. Martin ran one in from two yards out and Jones kept up his scoring-streak and hauled in a 33-yard score. 

After La Verne cut the lead in half with 4:14 left in the third, the Kingsmen used another long drive to answer. Cal Lutheran went eight plays for 77 yards and Huseman finished it off with an 8-yard run. The Purple and Gold scored the touchdown with nine seconds left in the third quarter and took a 35-14 lead to the fourth. 

The Kingsmen hit the road for the next two contests. They take on Pomona-Pitzer next Saturday at 7 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 35, ULV 14
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director