Whitworth Pirates take on La Verne at Pine Bowl

La Verne (Calif.) at No. 20 Whitworth
Kickoff: 11 a.m., Whitworth Pine Bowl
Records: La Verne (1-0), Whitworth (2-0)
Radio: 1230-AM
Watch: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/whitworth/
Overview: After drubbing Central (Iowa) and Whittier (Calif.) by a combined 105-23, Whitworth rounds out its non-conference schedule against La Verne. The Leopards dropped Northwest Conference member Puget sound 33-25 in their season opener, a bounce-back start after a 2-7 campaign in 2016. La Verne is paced by quarterback Josh Evans (9 for 14, 148 yards, two TDs vs. UPS) and running back Robert Fernandez (104 yards, TD). Whitworth star quarterback Ian Kolste has already racked up 729 passing yards and nine touchdown passes in six quarters. Defensive back LJ Benson (two interceptions) has helped pace a first-string defense that is yet to yield a touchdown. Whitworth leads the all-time series 10-1, the last meeting resulting in a 39-20 Pirates win in Spokane in 2015. La Verne was picked sixth in the eight-team SCIAC preseason poll.
—Ryan Collingwood