Cal Lutheran, Nanhed Title Drives Derailed in La Verne

Cal Lutheran’s attempt to win its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title couldn’t have come against a tougher opponent.

La Verne, the No. 1-ranked team in the NCAA Division III West region, had won 20 consecutive regular-season games.

The result was predictable as La Verne posted a 31-21 victory and claimed its third consecutive conference title.

Cal Lutheran’s Fredrik Nanhed rushed for 98 yards in 36 carries to add to his school-record season total of 1,380.

Nanhed, a freshman running back, scored on an eight-yard run in the second quarter to cap a 17-play drive that pulled Cal Lutheran to within 10-7 at halftime.

However, La Verne (9-0, 6-0 in conference play) countered with two touchdowns in the third quarter and then held off the Kingsmen (4-4-1, 4-2).

Ryan Campuzano threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Peter Teichmann, and Anthony Rice added a seven-yard run for a 24-7 lead.

Cal Lutheran rallied in the fourth quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Billy Busch.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Kingsmen attempted an onside kick, but the Leopards recovered and added their final touchdown on a two-yard run by Rice.

Cal Lutheran quarterback Ryan Huisenga threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tom Herman with less than two minutes remaining. Huisenga completed 14 of 26 for 129 yards.

La Verne rushed for 307 yards to 103 for Cal Lutheran.

La Verne running back Anthony Jones rushed for 185 yards in 34 attempts to give him the SCIAC rushing title with 1,453, 73 more than runner-up Nanhed.

“I came in not knowing if I could compete in this conference,” said Nanhed, who finished the season with 10 touchdowns. “I feel like I have accomplished something here.”