University of La Verne head football Chris Krich has announced the 2012 schedule in what will be his second season at the helm of the Leopard program. The nine-game schedule includes a total of four home games as well as five road contests.
La Verne opens the season on September 15 against Northwest Conference member Whitworth as the Leopards make their debut in the refurbished Ortmayer Stadium.
Other home games this season include Redlands (Oct. 13), Pomona-Pitzer (Oct. 20) and Occidental (Nov. 10). The Leopards' home contest against the Sagehens on October 20 serves as the annual Homecoming Game.
The Leopards will play three consecutive road games beginning with NAIA opponent Menlo on September 22. The next week, the Leopards begin SCIAC conference play with a short trek to Claremont to take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on September 29, followed with a trip to Whittier on October 6.
La Verne's game against Chapman will mark the first-ever conference clash between the longtime rivals. Chapman officially joined the SCIAC in 2011 and will be eligible for conference championships in all sports – including football – beginning this fall. The Leopards and Panthers will do battle on October 27 in Orange.
The Leos will face two-time defending conference champion Cal Lutheran on November 3 in Thousand Oaks.
Both Cal Lutheran and Redlands competed in the NCAA Division III Playoffs a year ago.
"We have schedule filled with formidable opponents but we're excited about the upcoming season," Krich said. "We have a very competitive league filled with quality programs and we look forward to the challenge."
La Verne finished the 2011 campaign with a 4-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in conference play.
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