After nearly three weeks of practice, the University of La Verne football team begins its 2010 campaign on Saturday night when it takes on Azusa Pacific Saturday at Citrus College.

Under fourth-year head coach Andy Ankeny, the Leopards are determined to erase the memory of last season and hope that success is on the horizon for the coming season. 

"The veterans on this team have done a tremendous job of forgetting about the past," said Ankeny.  "Our returning players have grown and worked hard to put themselves ina positon to have a successful season."

OFFENSE

The Leopards have made a stronger commitment to the run on offense and have implemented a multiple, pro-set attack. 

In the backfield, Josh Ross and Thomas Arguello have emerged at the quarterback position, with Ross likely to start in the opener against the Cougars.  At running back, Ankeny says that the tandem of Erek Brown and Chad Lucas should propel the Leopards to a more productive ground game along with the fullback duo of Brett Norris and Manny Macias.

The wide receiver position appears to be solid with the trio of Matt Griffin, Allen Daniels and Poi Lok Choi.  At tight end, former quarterback Christian Winnewisser has made a smooth transition to his new position and should provide the Leopards with a steady play. 

The offensive line features a solid nucleus of Kyle Appleford, Garrett Chambers and Nick Homan.  Appleford is a returning All-SCIAC performer and should anchor a much-improved attack in the trenches. 

DEFENSE

Ankeny also stressed a commitment to stopping the run on defense and feels that the defensive line will rise to the challenge.  The Leopard D-line includes transfer Paul Koloa along with returnees Daniel Brown, Jorge Villagomez and Alex Barrios in addition to Dylan Keith. 

The Leopard strength on defense could lie in the linebacking corps, where there is plenty of versality and depth.  Among the inside linebackers, newcomer Stephen Donohue along with Rydell Brown, Del Campbell and Filip Marcelin are solid and should help neutralize opposing offensives.  At outside linebacker, the Leopards boast of Rich Richardson, Jimmy Morin, Derek Walker and Matt Miller.

The secondary features Donald Mull at safety and includes cornerbacks Kenneth Pigue, Masen Fox and Loren Rojas.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Leopards should see an upgrade at placekicker with the addition of Alex Miller.  The punting duties will be handled by Ryan Saucedo and Edgar Rodriguez.  Erek Brown is the featured kick return specialist and will be joined by Poi Lok Choi.   Mull is the primary return man on punts.

SCHEDULE

La Verne faces a very challenging beginning to the 2010 season with the likes of a much-improved NAIA foe Azusa Pacific in Saturday's opener, with Division III powerhouse Linfield looming in two weeks for the Leopards' home opener on Sept. 25.  

"It's definitely a challenge for our team in our first two games," said Ankeny.  "But the schedule is totally designed to prepare us for SCIAC competition.

After Linfield, the Leos play three straight conference opponents in Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Oct. 2), Occidental (Oct. 9) and Cal Lutheran (Oct. 16).  The Leopards meet non-conference rival Chapman in Orange on Oct. 23 before returning to league play with consecutive home games against Redlands (Oct. 30) and Pomona-Pitzer (Nov. 6) before closing the regular season at Whittier on Nov. 13.

"Our optimism this season comes from the outstanding young men, their work ethic and their desire to be the best that they can be," said Ankeny.  "We have tremendous trust in each other and that should translate into success."