The California Lutheran University Kingsmen took their fourth overall win of the season, and first conference win against La Verne 35-14, on Saturday, Oct. 2. This marks the first time the Kingsmen have started the season off with a 4-0 record since 2006. 

“This teams got a lot of fight,” senior offensive lineman Frank Molina said.

Jackson Taylor put the team on the scoreboard with a touchdown less than two minutes into the first quarter. The 13 yard touchdown run was his fifth of the season. 

With the Kingsmen leading the entire rest of the first quarter, La Verne tied the game in the second quarter at 7-7. 

The game stayed at that score until 31 seconds before the end of the half when junior quarterback Nick Lasher, threw a six yard touchdown to Julio Angel. “Once we found our rhythm, we kind of just started going and our motto is one play at a time,” Lasher said. 

Going into the third quarter the Kingsmen scored a total of three touchdowns, while La Verne only managed to score one. Isaiah Martin scored on a two yard run, securing one touchdown at the 11:06 mark in the quarter, bringing the score to 21-7. Approximately 4 minutes later, Lasher threw a 33 yard touchdown to Cameron Jones, putting the score at 28-7.

La Verne put their second touchdown on the board putting some pressure on the Kingsmen as they tried to catch up, but still trailed by 14. 

The Kingsmen then buckled down for the last touchdown of the game by Reid Husemen’s eight yard run that brought the final score to 35-14. 

The fourth quarter had the Kingsmen locked in as they defended their lead, and they kept La Verne from scoring. As the game winded down, it was clear that the team was on their way to their fourth win in a row, an accomplishment they have all been thinking about. 

“This is a goal that we had, but the real goal is to go 9-0 and we are still striving for that,” senior defensive linemen Caleb Casimere said.

While this was a major victory for the Kingsmen, Head Coach Anthony Lugo kept a humble attitude about the streak. 

“Each week we have got to get better, find ways to get better,” Lugo said. 

This is a philosophy that holds true for the Kingsmen. 

“Last week we had a real tough time running the football and so this week it was really emphasized that we need to get the ball on the ground running,” Molina said. 

The ball was run for a total of 131 yards this game. 

The Kingsmen have been consistent in their game play as every game so far they have broken the 100 yard mark. 

“This is important to so many people, especially these seniors who have been through so much,” Lugo said. 

Football goes beyond just a game for this team. This season especially means a lot to the Kingsmen, who not only strive to get better with every play, but remember what is important. 

“We are playing for Chris Leveque, who we lost last year. He was a big part of who we are, and before every game we make sure to touch his jersey. He was such an incredible human being,” Lugo said.