University of La Verne Holds Off George Fox, 47-33
The Bruins will take a two week break before heading to Willamette on Oct. 3 to start conference play at 7:00 p.m.
(NEWBERG, Ore. ) — In just its second game of the season George Fox University’s football team hosted the University of La Verne in the only home night game of the season.
Tonight marked the first game for the Leopards this season after coming off a 3-6 record last year.
The opening play was one that caught most of the fans and players off guard, as ULV’s Dallas Parent returned the opening kick and fumbled the ball after a gang tackle by the Bruins, but Alex Arellano picked the ball up for the Leopards and made his way down field to return the opening kick and take a 6-0 lead.
The Leopards struck again taking a 13-0 lead after running back Jackson Sparks ran in for a 28-yard touchdown at the 9:47 mark.
Momentum would change for the better with less than five minutes in the first after John Shaffer dashed for a 68-yard run to put the Bruins in the red zone. Shaffer finished the drive off with a 3-yard touchdown run, which marked the first of his career.
The Bruins kept the spark alive ending the first quarter with a Uriel Gonzalez field goal. Gonzalez finished the night going 2-for-2 with a 28 and 35 yard field goal.
The second quarter opened up with the Leopards on offense, but Tell Cruickshank intercepted the ball and ran in for a 47-yard touchdown to take a 17-13 lead.
ULV took the lead back just before halftime with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Alex Vilalobos. The Leopards led the Bruins 20-17 at half.
In the second half, ULV’s Sparks struck again with a 12-yard run after marching down the field. George Fox didn’t wait long to match the Spark touchdown with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Grant Schroeder to Derek Richwine.
The Leopards opened up the game in the fourth quarter with back-to-back touchdowns to take a 47-26 lead. The Bruins wouldn’t go down without a fight after Schroeder connected again, but this time it was to Tony Long for a 21-yard TD pass.
Shaffer led the Bruins with 180 all-purpose yards with 153 on the ground and 27 through the air. Schroeder went 18-30 with 244 yards and two touchdowns. Brad Lander led the receiving crew for the second straight game catching five balls for 85 yards.
Sparks led the Leopards finishing with 170 yards on 16 attempts.
The Bruins will take a two week break before heading to Willamette on Oct. 3 to start conference play at 7:00 p.m.
Source: George Fox Athletics
