Pirates set sails to south

Whitworth College, in an attempt to build on last week’s offensive outburst in a season-opening 52-49 road victory over the University of Redlands, returns to California to take on the University of La Verne this afternoon in an NCAA Division III football matchup that kicks off at 1.

The Pirates’ offense, behind the steady and productive hand of sophomore quarterback Joel Clark, scored on eight of 11 possessions in last weekend’s win as Clark threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns.

“Offensively, we were very good,” said coach John Tully, who is in his 10th season at Whitworth. But Whitworth’s young defense gave up 503 yards and 49 points, which would seem to be a major concern.

Tully said he expects to see things pick up on the defensive side.

“On defense, we competed hard,” he said. “We lost some guys during the game to the heat and often played with eight freshmen at one time. But they stayed with it, and I expect we will improve and play better as the season goes on.”

La Verne, which finished 1-8 last season, opened its 2004 schedule with an impressive 26-21 win over Pomona-Pitzer on Sept. 4. The Leopards are coming off a bye week.

In the win, La Verne’s sophomore quarterback Brian Guerrero, who started three games in 2003, threw for 266 yards and two TDs while completing 20 of 57 passes.

– Steve Bergum, staff writer